ASL Diagnostic and Evaluation Services

Merrill Learning Center, Room 2200
Web: www.gallaudet.edu/asldes.html Email: asldes@gallaudet.edu

ASL Diagnostic and Evaluation Services (ASL-DES) provides training, consultation and comprehensive measures of American Sign Language (ASL) proficiency and communicative competence. The data and information generated by ASL Diagnostic and Evaluation Services benefits not only individual language learning, but is also essential to Gallaudet University, institutions and governing bodies nationwide. Information pertaining to ASL proficiency is provided to ensure individuals have requisite language skills for (but not limited to):

Admission into academic programs
Core curriculum, practicum, internship and graduation
Professional opportunities and advancements

Diagnostic Assessment

Web: asldes.gallaudet.edu/DxAssessment.xml Email: DxAssessment@gallaudet.edu

Diagnostic Assessment

Diagnostic Assessment services offer individuals feedback on the use of ASL, language discourse and communication aspects appropriate for various settings and purposes. Diagnostic Assessments identify strengths and areas needing improvement in an array of formats. At the conclusion of each format, the individual receives a report and the DVD of the video recorded session for long-term referencing and continued learning.

Format Descriptions:

Classroom Discourse Observations capture not only aspects of ASL, but also discourse techniques/pragmatics, heuristic functions, and whether the environment is visually optimized. A classroom-based assessment would also note students' comprehension of the instructor, and the instructor's comprehension of the students. ASL-DES staff video record the faculty while s/he teaches in the classroom and then analyze the video recording to identify signing and classroom discourse strengths and areas needing improvement.

Interactive Dialogues diagnose specific aspects of the language. This includes phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics. In this format, the diagnostician engages the individual in a conversational exchange to elicit a language sample.

Focused Topic Preparation is for individuals with more advanced ASL skills. Feedback and support is provided to "polish" a presentation, performance, vlog or pre-recorded video segment prepared for a specific purpose. Feedback is provided on specific language aspects as well as pragmatics.

To make an appointment, complete the online form in the Scheduling section. If you have questions, please send an email to DxAssessment@gallaudet.edu.

American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI)

Web: asldes.gallaudet.edu/aslpi.xml Email: ASLPI@gallaudet.edu

ASLPI Logo

The American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) at Gallaudet University is housed in ASL Diagnostic and Evaluation Services (ASL-DES).

The American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) is a holistic language evaluation used to determine global ASL proficiency at a given point in time. The ASLPI is a 20-30 minute video recorded interactive dialogue between the examinee and the interviewer. The interview is rated by a team of evaluators and examinees are awarded an overall proficiency level on a 0-5 rating scale. Except for LEVEL 5, the scoring process sometimes results in the assignment of a plus value (+). This does not represent a midway point between two levels, but may be inferred to indicate that the examinee exceeds the requirements for a particular level but does not satisfy in all respects the requirements of the next higher level. This proficiency test is not tied to any one course or curriculum nor does it measure a single skill in the language.

As a criterion-based evaluation designed to test your overall ability to use and understand ASL, each recorded interview is rated on the basis of specific criteria in five different categories:

Grammar
Vocabulary
Production/Accent
Fluency
Comprehension

Results for the ASLPI are processed and mailed out within 2-4 weeks from the interview date. The amount of processing time is contingent upon the volume of interviews that are handled during that specific time frame. If you need results expedited, please send email to ASLPI@gallaudet.edu and provide the reason that results need to be rushed. We will do our very best to accommodate your needs.

Scheduling for Gallaudet University students, faculty and staff occurs for a limited time at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. Summer sessions are limited to only individuals who must achieve a designated proficiency level before the fall semester begins. Once the scheduling period has ended for a given semester, additional interviews for Gallaudet students, faculty and staff will not be added to the schedule unless extraordinary circumstances exist. The ASLPI is also being offered via videophone for those examinees who are not in the Washington, D. C. metropolitan area. Requirements for a VP-ASLPI are outlined on this web site asldes.gallaudet.edu/vpaslpi.xml.

The ASLPI is offered free of charge to full-time Gallaudet students, faculty and staff. Fees may be imposed for cancellations made less than 48 hours of the interview date and time, and for no shows. Prospective Gallaudet students and employees who are required to take the ASLPI as part of an admission/interview process must pay the ASLPI fee. Please check the ASLPI web site [http://asldes.gallaudet.edu/aslpi.xml] for current fee and scheduling information.