CEFR-Based Assessment in Sign Languages: The Case of LSE and Perspectives for LIS

Marrocu, Maria Grazia

Volume:: Proceedings of the LREC2026 12th Workshop on the Representation and Processing of Sign Languages: Language in Motion
Venue:: Palma, Mallorca, Spain
Date:: 16 May 2026
Pages:: 333–340
Publisher:: European Language Resources Association (ELRA)
Licence:: CC BY-NC 4.0
sign-lang ID:: 26025
ISBN:: 978-2-493814-82-1

Abstract

This study examines the application of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) to Spanish Sign Language (LSE) in a university context, with reference to the Italian situation (Council of Europe, 2020). In Spain, CEFR descriptors are already integrated into academic programmes for the assessment of LSE, whereas in Italy the context remains uneven due to the lack of shared criteria for the teaching and assessment of Italian Sign Language (LIS). The research project, conducted jointly by Ca' Foscari University of Venice and Rey Juan Carlos University of Madrid, adopts a longitudinal and comparative design focusing on the first three CEFR proficiency levels (A1, A2, B1) of LSE among L2M2 learners (second language second modality). A mixed-methods approach combining classroom observations, self-assessment instruments, and standardised assessment rubrics is used to analyse the alignment between students' self-assessments and instructors' external evaluations, with particular attention to linguistic and metacognitive awareness. The findings show increasing accuracy in self-assessment as proficiency develops, alongside recurring issues such as the overestimation of receptive skills and the underestimation of productive competence. These results highlight the need for targeted assessment interventions and contribute to the development of CEFR-consistent evaluation practices for sign languages.

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Citation in ACL Citation Format

Maria Grazia Marrocu. 2026. CEFR-Based Assessment in Sign Languages: The Case of LSE and Perspectives for LIS. In Proceedings of the LREC2026 12th Workshop on the Representation and Processing of Sign Languages: Language in Motion, pages 333–340, Palma, Mallorca, Spain. European Language Resources Association (ELRA).

BibTeX Export

@inproceedings{marrocu:26025:sign-lang:lrec,
  author    = {Marrocu, Maria Grazia},
  title     = {{CEFR-Based} Assessment in Sign Languages: The Case of {LSE} and Perspectives for {LIS}},
  pages     = {333--340},
  editor    = {Efthimiou, Eleni and Fotinea, Stavroula-Evita and Hanke, Thomas and Hochgesang, Julie A. and Mesch, Johanna and Schulder, Marc},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of the {LREC2026} 12th Workshop on the Representation and Processing of Sign Languages: Language in Motion},
  maintitle = {15th International Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation ({LREC} 2026)},
  publisher = {{European Language Resources Association (ELRA)}},
  address   = {Palma, Mallorca, Spain},
  day       = {16},
  month     = may,
  year      = {2026},
  isbn      = {978-2-493814-82-1},
  language  = {english},
  url       = {https://www.sign-lang.uni-hamburg.de/lrec/pub/26025.html}
}