"The CUHK Informal Language Assessment Protocol (ILAP)" Certificate Course

The “CUHK Informal Language Assessment Protocol (ILAP)” is a comprehensive framework of assessing language abilities of Chinese-speaking children. Frontline Practitioners can select appropriate items from the framework to make a personalized assessment to their clients. It was originally developed in 2013 by the Speech Therapy Division in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. As a result of continuous development and enhancement in clinical settings, coupled with instructional courses held in various cities (including Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Foshan, Changsha, Jinan, Qingdao, and more), the ILAP has evolved into a formal certification course. The first ILAP certificate course was launched by the CUHK team in 2021 with Hunan Zaizhu as the co-organizer.

The ILAP certificate course consists of a 14-hour program that includes lectures covering key concepts and principles of informal language assessment, hands-on learning activities for students to practice conducting informal assessments and perfect their skills through immediate feedback from the instructors, and an examination upon completion. It emphasizes evidence-based practices and cutting-edge research, equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to effectively employ the informal assessment approach. The course is conducted in "Duo-expert Teaching Mode" that two instructors, one principal trainer and one authorized trainer, would conduct the lessons simultaneously. All the ILAP instructors are vetted by a teaching committee to ensure their knowledge and teaching quality reaching the standard.

Delivered either online or face-to-face, the ILAP course's flexible format enables speech therapists across the country to conveniently access this important training, thereby expanding their skills and better serving children with diverse needs. Upon completion of the program, participants are expected to acquire solid skills in conducting informal language assessments, analyzing results, and developing tailored treatment plans for individuals with communication disorders. The ILAP program has received widespread acclaim for enhancing speech therapy services for Chinese-speaking communities.

The ILAP certificate program is offered periodically by Speech & Hearing Social Enterprise (SHSE).  Interested parties could also contact SHSE for special arrangements. SHSE has been granted a license from the CUHK to use the ILAP material. SHSE will certify and issue certificates for the ILAP course.