We are focusing at the moment on gathering information from stakeholders, and are trying to disseminate the current knowledge. We are also analyzing the results from the PRO-Sign2 survey (which was closed in August 2017). These will be presented at the Network meeting in April 2018 in Graz.
Beppie van den Bogaerde and Tobias Haug are preparing, with Maria De Monte from Istituto Statale per Sordi di Roma, a workshop on Sign Language Assessment. This workshop will take place in Rome, Italy, on 9-11 November. More information will follow later.
Christian Rathmann had a meeting with efsli President Ivana Bucko in Berlin, Germany on 25 August 2017. Main focus was on preparations for the ProSign Conference in Belgrade, Serbia (which is to be held in October 2018).
In Ireland, Lorraine Leeson and Carmel Grehan have secured Research Ethics approval to undertake a study that explores how use of the European Language Portfolio helps L2 sign language learners as they progress on their journey to B level competence. They will report back at the ProSign conference in 2018. We also hope that this protocol will be replicated in a number of other countries in the coming year.
Lorraine Leeson will be heading to New Zealand in November to present a keynote address at the “Signs of Professionalism Conference”, reflecting on 25 years of New Zealand Sign Language interpreting, teaching and development. ProSign will feature here!
The Council of Europe proudly presented the (provisional) updated version of the CEFR. Have a look at the Companion Volume with new descriptors. Our project PRO-Sign2 is mentioned on pp. 22 and 45.
The project team:
Christian Rathmann (coordinator), Tobias Haug, Lorraine Leeson, Beppie van den Bogaerde