EvaLSQ: A Decision-Making and Innovative Tool

EvaLSQ: A Decision-Making and Innovative Tool

Written by Cynthia Benoit 

Do you want to hire a French to LSQ interpreter or are you thinking of recruiting special education technicians to work with Deaf children, but aren’t sure if the candidates’ LSQ proficiency is high enough for the job? EvaLSQ is what you need.  

EvaLSQ is an LSQ proficiency assessment system based on many descriptors that help determine one’s proficiency level using different linguistic categories, including comprehension, production, discursive context, and more.  

Without going into detail, it is important to mention these two acts:  

1. The Accessible Canada Act, which stipulates that American sign language, Quebec Sign Language (LSQ) and Indigenous sign languages are recognized as the primary languages for communication by Deaf persons in Canada (Article 5.1(2)).  
2. The Ontario’s Education Act, which stipulates the respect of Quebec Sign Language as a language of instruction (Education Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. E.2).  

Following the example of these two acts, as well as other acts that may be created in the future, it is important to standardize the assessment of LSQ proficiency, as is done for other languages, such as French and English. The need for LSQ has increased over recent years, which is why such a tool was developed in collaboration with many partners.

Inspired by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, the table of LSQ descriptors is a reference document for LSQ proficiency. To consult the table of proficiency indicators, click here (in French only). 

Who would benefit from EvaLSQ?
This rigorous assessment system can benefit a large number of recruiters, employers, institutions, organizations and individuals, including:  

• LSQ to French interpretation agencies 
• Deaf and hard of hearing organizations 
• Government bodies 
• Rehabilitation and service centres for Deaf people 
• Primary, secondary and post-secondary institutions 
• School boards 
• Early childhood centres 
• LSQ to French interpreters  
• LSQ training and teaching 
• And many more 

Why should you be assessed?
The following are some of the most frequent reasons individuals get their level of LSQ proficiency assessed:  

• Meeting job requirements 
• Annual performance evaluation 
• Career development 
• Portfolio and CV 
• Proof of qualification 
• Personal interest 

Also among assessment candidates are people from different backgrounds, such as social workers, LSQ specialists, interpreters, teachers, assistants, coordinators, secretaries, Deaf interpreters, employees, candidates who will need to communicate using LSQ for work and many others. In short, EvaLSQ was developed for all those who, for whatever reason, are looking to know their level of mastery of LSQ. 

As allies in your decision-making processes when hiring personnel for whom a qualification criterion is LSQ proficiency, we value the accessibility of the people you work with, whether they be clients or employees. 

Our partners in developing the assessment tool 

• Sign Language Assessment Services Haug (SLAS)
• Research Group on LSQ and Deaf bilingualism at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
• Ministry of Education Ontario

For more information on EvaLSQ, visit the website