Global TALES Network
The Global TALES Network is an initiative of the Child Language Committee of the International Association for Communication Sciences and Disorders (IALP). In this project, an international team of researchers set out to investigate methods for eliciting and analyzing children’s personal event narratives, with the ultimate aim of developing FREELY AVAILABLE global tools and approaches to support assessment and interventions for this important skill in children with significant challenges in their learning, including those with language disorders. During 2018/2019, we developed an elicitation protocol (the Global TALES protocol) and conducted a pilot study, in which we used the protocol to elicit personal narratives from 10-year-old children from a range of countries. Since 2018, the project team has attracted members from more than 40 countries, speaking > 30 languages.
The protocol has been registered on the Open Science Framework and interested parties are kindly asked to contact the project leader (Prof Marleen Westerveld) for permission to use the protocol for research purposes.
The protocol is freely available for clinical use. We have created a brief 7 minute overview (2020). To keep up to date, follow us on Instagram: @global_tales_network
Our Vision
A globally connected network that champions inclusive, culturally-responsive personal narrative research and practice, ensuring that voices of all ages, languages, and abilities - including those with communication disorders - are heard, understood, and valued.
Our Mission
- Build a vibrant, diverse international community of researchers at different career stages interested in personal narratives.
- Mentor emerging scholars and strengthen capacity for high-quality personal narrative research
- Promote cross-linguistic collaborations and representation from countries worldwide.
- Advance knowledge about personal narratives across the lifespan, including individuals with communication challenges or disorders.
- Connect research, translation, and implementation sciences with clinical practice to advance effective, evidence‑based outcomes for individuals and communities.
- Facilitate data sharing, open science, and scalable infrastructure to support global research.
About Us
Using Global TALES
