Phonological intervention as a means for word learning : a cross-modal case study

Purpose: This study examined the efficacy of a phonological intervention that utilized the core vocabulary approach with a deaf, signing, late first language (L1) learner. The primary emphasis of this project was to attempt to demonstrate comparable success in word learning resulting from a sign language intervention modeled after a spoken language phonological intervention with a deaf adult sign language user. Method: Participant is a 32-year-old deaf female who had not been exposed to any formal sign language until age 31. Treatment utilized a core vocabulary approach that targeted phonological awareness tasks of increasing complexity. Independent and unique real-word productions were coded to track the participant's growing lexicon. Results: Accuracy within each treatment probe indicates improved word-knowledge and remediation of consistent phonological errors. Overall cumulative lexical growth exhibits efficacy of the phonological treatment approach as a means for word learning. Post-treatment baseline cognitive and linguistic measurements indicate valid experimental control as they remained at pre-treatment baseline levels. Conclusions: A phonological intervention in the signed modality is efficacious with an adult, deaf, late first-language learner as a means for word learning.