The Listen to Learn for Life (L3) assessment framework

Listening is the primary gateway for children to learn in the mainstream classroom, but the dynamics and noise of modern classrooms can make listening challenging. This is especially true for children with hearing loss, language and communication difficulties, attention deficits, autism, other learning needs, and/or those communicating in a language other than their native language. It is, therefore, critical for researchers to realistically assess how children listen to learn in the classroom and to understand how listening can be improved to enhance children’s learning and wellbeing. The Listen to Learn for Life (L3) assessment framework is a tool to use when conducting this research which holistically incorporates frameworks from health, speech and hearing sciences, and education sectors. The L3 assessment framework has three main components: characterisation of activity (perceptual setting of lecture, group work, or individual learning activity), functioning assessment (hearing, listening, comprehending, or communicating), and impact (learning and wellbeing). These are affected by External and Internal Influences. Here, we present selected examples of how to apply the framework to assess children’s listening, learning, and wellbeing during different classroom activities as well as determine the effectiveness of a chosen intervention.