LEAP-Q — a tool for assessing language experience and proficiency

LEAP-Q (Language Experience and Proficiency Questionnaire) is a questionnaire designed to collect data on language experience and language proficiency from bilinguals and multilinguals. It was developed by V. Marian, H. K. Blumenfeld, and M. Kaushanskaya and is widely used internationally across various populations (Marian, Blumenfeld, & Kaushanskaya, 2020). The questionnaire collects information about language learning history, frequency of language use, and self-rated proficiency across different language skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking).

Who will find LEAP-Q useful?

Researchers at the HSE University Centre for Language and Brain have adapted the LEAP-Q for several of Russia’s minority languages (Adyghe, Tatar, Yakut and for Uzbek). The adapted LEAP-Q versions will be useful to researchers studying bilingualism and multilingualism in the context of Russia’s linguistic diversity.
The questionnaire can be used to assess the language experience and skills of speakers of minority languages, to identify factors that influence the preservation and support of these languages, and to design effective strategies for language maintenance and education.

Advantages

• Contextual adaptation: The questionnaire has been adapted to the sociocultural characteristics and the linguistic situation in Russia, which ensures its relevance and validity for studies involving speakers of minority languages.

• Comprehensiveness: LEAP-Q gathers broad information about respondents’ language experience, including language learning history, frequency of use, and self-ratings of proficiency in language skills.

• Versatility: The questionnaire can be employed with respondents of different ages, educational backgrounds, and language experiences.

Structure

The questionnaire consists of several sections that include questions about:

• Demographic data (age, sex, education, etc.)

• Language biography (when each language was first learned, how it was acquired, and time spent in relevant language settings).

• Language use in different areas of life (home, work, education, communication with friends, etc.)

• Self-rated proficiency in language skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) for each language

Functionality and technical features

LEAP-Q is available in electronic format, which makes it easier to distribute and collect data. Collected data can be exported in various formats for statistical analysis. Adapted versions translated into Russia’s minority languages are also available for use by researchers.

You can download the full Russian version of the questionnaire from the original site: https://bilingualism.northwestern.edu/leapq/

Language versions

• LEAP-Q Adyghe (translated by Sh. Sh. Unarokova, A. A. Bguasheva, S. R. Makerova; Adyghe State University)

• LEAP-Q Tatar (translated by A. F. Khanova; HSE University)

• LEAP-Q Kazakh (translated by T. K. Chukaeva, A. Makhamet, M. K. Abayeva; The Institute of Linguistics named after A. Baitursunov)

• Uzbek (translation by Z. M. Sobirova; Fergana State University):

  • LEAP-Q Uzbek for abult participants

  • LEAP-Q Uzbek for children

• Russian version for use with any of Russia’s minority languages

(e.g., for the listed Adyghe and Tatar versions, for Yakut, etc. — the target language should be entered into the questionnaire as needed) 

Citation

For citation please use the original work and additionally indicate the shortened version used and the authors of the translation:

Marian, Blumenfeld, & Kaushanskaya (2007). The Language Experience and Proficiency Questionnaire (LEAP-Q): Assessing language profiles in bilinguals and multilinguals. Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research, 50 (4), 940-967.