Awarded: £9,998.34
The cognitive and linguistic predictors of successful British Sign Language learning
Project Information: In the UK, Sign Language Interpreting (SLI) degree programmes are plagued by high drop-out rates, and
learners often plateau before reaching working fluency. SLI is a cognitively and linguistically demanding task
performed largely by non-native sign language users. Nevertheless, few studies have investigated what makes
a good candidate for SLI training programmes in terms of such cognitive and linguistic skills (Gómez, Molina,
Benítez, & Santiago de Torres, 2007; Stone, 2017). Our comprehensive project will test interpreting students
at two universities throughout their training using a range of cognitive and linguistic skills assessments. We will
thus establish whether pre-existing abilities are predictors of successful sign acquisition, and which skills
improve in line with learning. Knowledge of the domains that are predictors/correlates of performance will
assist SLI programmes from applicant selection through to graduation, in addition to highlighting which specific
skills require extra training more broadly in sign language teaching.