WELCOME TO THE SLPI WEBSITE
The Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) involves a one-to-one conversation in sign language between an interviewer and candidate/interviewee. Interview content varies according to the background, job responsibilities, schooling, and other interests of each SLPI candidate/interviewee.
The SLPI has been adapted from the Language/Oral Proficiency Interview (L/OPI), an interview technique for assessing spoken language communication skills. The L/OPI may be used to assess a variety of spoken languages; for example, French, German, and Japanese. Similarly the SLPI may be used to assess a variety of sign languages; for example, French, German and American Sign Language (ASL). Considering this, when used to assess ASL skills the SLPI may be labeled as the SLPI-ASL.
Naturally, if the SLPI is used to assess sign languages other than ASL, this may be specified similar to applications of the L/OPI for different spoken languages. For example, the SLPI has been adopted by the US Peace Corps for assessment of Kenyan Sign Language (KSL), and this application, therefore, could be properly labeled the SLPI-KSL.
SLPI interviews are recorded and subsequently rated independently by SLPI raters. The basis for ratings is the SLPI Rating Scale, a standard scale based on the sign language communication skills of highly skilled, knowledgeable native/native-like signers.
The goal of the SLPI is to assess how well people are able to use sign language for communication, and, as appropriate, to use this information to assist people in development of their sign language communication skills.
William Newell and Frank Caccamise are co-developers of the SLPI. They developed or consulted on the development of all documents in the first four sections of this website and the majority of the documents in the last section, The SLPI AT NTID: OCAS.
We thank you for your interest in the SLPI.
FAQ
This section provides responses to frequently asked questions about the SLPI. These responses provide a description of the SLPI Rating Scale, discuss what the SLPI assesses, provide information about SLPI development, discuss where and with whom SLPI use has been implemented, and discuss other sign language assessment tools.
ESTABLISHING AN SLPI TEAM
This section provides information and materials important to planning and hosting workshops for training potential SLPI Team members.
IMPLEMENTING AND MONITORING SLPI USE
This section includes factors, principles, and sample and model philosophy, policy, procedures, and annual report documents for implementing and monitoring SLPI use. The importance of monitoring consistency of SLPI ratings by SLPI Team members to help ensure fairness of SLPI results and to assist in planning in-service training for SLPI Team members is also discussed. In addition, two studies are described, one to investigate the time required by NTID faculty and professional staff to achieve SLPI rating skill levels and the other a study to establish appropriate sign language communication skill level expectations for university students. Also, this section includes a document that provides suggestions and examples for connecting ASL instruction to SLPI results.
SLPI TRAINING MATERIALS
This section includes information and materials for SLPI Trainers to plan and conduct SLPI Training Workshops, materials for training potential SLPI Team members, and information for SLPI Coordinators who may wish to add members to their SLPI Teams.
THE SLPI AT NTID: OCAS
This section provides information about use of the SLPI at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID). This use is coordinated by the NTID Office of Communication Assessment Services (OCAS). If you are an NTID community member and wish to take the SLPI at NTID the information in this website section is designed for you. In addition to registration and other information about the SLPI, this website section includes information about two additional assessment tools available to NTID faculty/staff, the Classroom Sign Language Assessment (CSLA) and the Group Communication Observation Tool (GCOT).