ProSign 2: Promoting excellence in sign language instruction

The European Language Portfolio (ELP) has been widely implemented to support the development of learner autonomy in the teaching and learning of spoken languages, but, until this study, had not been implemented with learners of sign languages. Across 2017-18, we developed and piloted a sample ELP for Irish Sign Language (ISL), which fed into work on the development of an ELP for sign language learners, under the umbrella of the PRO-Sign 2 project (European Centre for Modern Languages). We piloted the ELP with a cohort of ISL learners in the second year of their Bachelor in Deaf Studies, who perform at A2-B1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) (2001; Leeson et al., 2016). All are learning ISL as a second language (L2), and are acquiring this sign language in what is, for them a new modality (M2). We met students on four occasions across 2017-18 to explore how/if use of the ELP in the ISL classroom supports the development of robust self-evaluation skills, and how the ELP enhances student-reported perception of motivation and autonomy. We report on the process, and present a grounded theory (Glaser & Strauss, 1968), "Bridging the Gap", drawn from key concerns of these ISL M2L2 learners at A2-B1 level.

The survey served to underpin our action research approach in two areas: curriculum development and pedagogy. In order to facilitate this, the survey design had the following research questions in focus: 1. To what extent is the CEFR implemented in higher education institutions that offer programs in sign language interpreting and Deaf Studies in Europe? 2. What is the current level of awareness of CEFR amongst sign language teachers working in higher education institutions in Europe? 3. What kind of supports are offered within these institutions to Deaf Studies and interpreter education programs aiming to implement CEFR-aligned curricula and assessment? 4. How are sign language assessments currently carried out in these institutions?

Report from a survey conducted within the ECML-funded project ProSign 2.

Testing and assessment in classroom environment, from the first experiences to CEFR: Introduction

Presentation on the ProSign 2 project

Overview of curriculum and development of BA in Teacher/Interpreter Sign Language of the Netherlands. With thanks to Eveline Boers for figures.