[International adoption of children from Ethiopia and language: a pilot study].

INTRODUCTION: Children who have gone through international adoption offer a great and unique learning opportunity around language development. Time elapsed since the first international adoptions took place in Spain has given a unique opportunity to research and conclude whether learning the second language follows the same developmental patterns and outcomes as compared to acquiring tongue language.

AIM: To verify whether the evaluated subjects have reached the expected use and language proficiency for their chronological age.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This pilot study focuses on the evaluation of language acquired in the first years of adolescence of 7 Ethiopian children who have lived over 8 years in Spain. CELF-4 test and the verbal tests of the WISC-IV have been administered. Scores have been analyzed and compared to the control group (same age group). In order to generate qualitative information about parents' concerns an on-line questionnaire has been administered in a form of a semi-structured interview.

RESULTS: Both the CELF-4 test and the WISC-IV verbal tests reflect average or low average results in language abilities. Qualitative interviews reflect deep concern about academic outcome.

CONCLUSIONS: Subjects in this study are showing an average to low average proficiency in the Spanish language. The results, nevertheless, do not explain the academic difficulties shown.