What is receptive language, and how is it commonly assessed?

Receptive language refers to the ability to understand and comprehend spoken language, gestures, or written text. It encompasses skills such as processing vocabulary, following directions, and understanding the meaning behind words and sentences. Assessing receptive language typically involves the use of standardized tests, which are designed to measure an individual’s understanding of language. These assessments can include tasks like pointing to pictures in response to verbal prompts or answering questions about a story that has been read aloud. By using such standardized tools, professionals can objectively evaluate the extent of a person's receptive language capabilities, making this method a critical part of speech and language assessments.