Consistent practice for a diverse target group? Application and implementation of the Mottier test

The Mottier test (1951) is a widespread procedure in German-speaking countries that can provide information about the capacity of phonological working memory in children based on the repetition of pseudowords and can thus be relevant for child language assessment. Heterogeneity in the the administration of the Mottier test seems to exist both in terms of presentation format (including presentation speed) and the interpretation of results (normative data). The two present studies first examine aspects of frequency of use and heterogeneity in the administration of the Mottier test. For this purpose, 166 German-speaking speech therapists from Germany, Austria and Switzerland answered an online questionnaire in Study I regarding their use of the Mottier test in therapeutic practice. Furthermore, in Study II, 29 study participants (students of elementary education majoring in German as a second language, special education for language and communication needs and speech and language therapy, all living in Germany) were trained in the administration of the items of the Mottier test. Their implementation was tested by means of a self-assessment questionnaire and by measuring the actual realized syllable length. Results of both studies indicate a highly heterogeneous picture in the administration of the Mottier test, especially with respect to the use of normative data and the application of specific instructions regarding the speed of presentation of the test items.