What does MLU stand for in language assessment?

MLU stands for Mean Length of Utterance, which is a key measure used in language assessment, particularly in evaluating the language development of children. It calculates the average number of morphemes (the smallest units of meaning) found in a person's spoken utterances. This measure provides insights into a child’s linguistic ability, showcasing their syntactic complexity.

By analyzing MLU, educators can better understand a student's language skills, which can inform intervention strategies and support provided to deaf and hard of hearing students. Higher MLU values typically indicate more advanced language development, while lower values may suggest a need for additional support in expressive language skills.

The other choices do not accurately represent this established concept in language assessment, making them less relevant in the context of evaluating language development in students.