Language For Learning (L4L)
Synopsis
The Language for Learning study is a large-scale randomised controlled trial, nested within a population-based cohort of 1464 children in Melbourne. The RCT tested whether a population-based intervention in 4 year olds with language delay led to improved language and associated outcomes at ages 5, 6, and 9. In addition, language data from the whole cohort will enable researchers to better understand trajectories of language development and impairment throughout childhood.
Summary
| Study name | Language For Learning |
| Study abbreviation | L4L |
| Current principal investigator/s |
Prof Melissa Wake Prof Sharon Goldfeld Prof Sheena Reilly Dr Penny Levickis Prof James Law Dr Cristina McKean Dr Fiona Mensah Associate Professor Lisa Gold Ms Ha Le |
| Current project manager | Prof Melissa Wake |
| Cohort representative (study contact) | Prof Melissa Wake |
| Postal address |
Centre for Community Child Health Murdoch Children’s Research Institute 50 Flemington Road Parkville, VIC 3052 |
| Phone | +61 3 9345 5761 |
| Melissa.Wake@rch.org.au | |
| Primary Institution | Centre for Community Child Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute |
| Collaborating Institution/s |
Royal Children’s Hospital Newcastle University, UK Deakin University Griffith University |
| Major funding sources |
NHMRC MCRI Victorian Department of Education and Training |
| Study website | http://www.rch.org.au/ccch/for_researchers/Language_for_Learning/ |
| Key reference | Wake M, Levickis P, Tobin S, Zens N, Law J, Gold L, Ukoumunne OC, Goldfeld S, Le, HND, Skeat J, Reilly S. Improving outcomes of preschool language delay in the community: Protocol for the Language for Learning randomised controlled trial. BMC Pediatrics, 2012;12:96(1-11). doi: 10.1186/1471-2431-12-96 |
| Are data available outside study team? | Yes – Approval to be sought from study PIs |
| Study focus | Language development and language delay |
| Sampling frame | Participants from the Let’s Read and Let’s Learn Language studies (based in Melbourne, Australia) were invited to participate in Language for Learning. |
| Year commenced | 2010 |
| Commencement sample |
1464 (whole cohort) 200 RCT |
| Intergenerational? | No |
| Imaging | No |
| Linkage | SEHQ, NAPLAN |
| Biosamples? | Saliva |
| Ethics approvals or requirements? |
This project only (Specific consent) Future research related to this project (Extended consent) Any future research (Unspecified consent) |
Waves
| Wave | Year | Age (mean, range) | Eligible sample |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2010 | 4 years |
Whole sample: 1464 RCT: 200 (Intervention 99, Control 101) |
| 2 | 2011 | 5 years | RCT: Intervention 91, Control 88 |
| 3 | 2012 | 6 years | RCT: Intervention 89, Control 83 |
| 4 | 2015 – 2016 | 9 years |
Whole sample: 491 RCT: TBD |