Language Use and Exposure Calculator

Overview

The Language Use and Exposure Calculator helps you determine the percentage of English that a bilingual child speaks and hears in their daily environment. Use it to document language exposure patterns that inform evaluation decisions and recommendations.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Accessing the Calculator

1. Navigate to Tools from the main navigation
2. Click Language Use and Exposure Calculator

Entering Language Information

1. Enter the percentage of time the child speaks English
2. Enter the percentage of time the child hears English
3. The calculator may ask for additional details about:

• Languages spoken at home
• Languages spoken at school
• Languages spoken in the community
• Primary language of each caregiver

Calculating Percentages

1. Fill in all required fields
2. The calculator computes the overall English exposure percentage
3. Review the breakdown of language use across different settings
4. The results show both speaking and hearing percentages

Using the Results

1. Review the calculated percentages
2. Copy the results if needed
3. Use this information when:

• Interpreting assessment results
• Making eligibility decisions
• Writing evaluation reports
• Developing recommendations

Notes / Best Practices

• Gather accurate information from parents or caregivers about language use patterns
• Consider both speaking and hearing percentages, as they may differ
• Document language exposure patterns in your evaluation reports
• Use this information to inform whether additional language sampling or assessment is needed
• Consider cultural and linguistic factors when interpreting results

Support

If you need help getting started or have questions about using ELSA in your evaluations, our support team is here to help.