Making Chatter Matter

‍Making Chatter Matter, written by a Malaysian for Malaysians, filled a void in books available in the local market targeting parents of language-impaired children. The necessity for a book directed at the multilingual and multicultural components (which is the hallmark of Malaysia) is aptly met by the author's in-depth and perceptive insights into the difficulties faced by language-impaired children and their parents in Malaysia. This practical, down-to-earth guidebook is written especially for parents and caregivers who desire to understand the unique needs of their language-impaired child.

Written in a simple, straightforward style, the book walks the reader through the stages of how a child's communication skills develop, and what a child requires in order to acquire adequate communication skills (particularly within a multilingual environment).

The book is peppered with more than 120 relevant examples of children's language impairments. Also incorporated are teaching strategies that capitalize on the individual strengths and learning skills of the individual child. Parents and teachers can effectively use these strategies to benefit the language-impaired child, as these strategies promote communication and socialization.

The author has included a chapter on the questions most frequently asked and has given a ready reference list of organizations, both private and government-affiliated, as a further source of support and information.

The strength of Making Chatter Matter lies in the fact that the suggested strategies and teaching methods are not restricted to a Malaysian setting, but can be readily adapted to any multi-lingual situation in any country.