The French government has suddenly announced that the CAPES (teaching certification) for French Sign Language (LSF) will not be offered in 2026. This decision affects aspiring teachers preparing for the exam and the entire Deaf community. Many see it as a direct threat to LSF and the rights of Deaf people, especially in the context of broader cuts in education funding.
Unexpected Closure of CAPES LSF
Candidates preparing for the 2026 CAPES LSF learned unexpectedly that no teaching positions would be available. Quentin Vasseur, a Deaf master’s student in Paris 8, describes this as a measure driven by financial concerns: “The government calculates the number of teachers based on the students who choose LSF for the Baccalauréat. That is only a small number.” Nationally, there are only 32 CAPES-certified LSF teachers, with only one in the Dijon region.
The closure was implemented without any official announcement. Those affected discovered it on the government website when registering for the exam. Even program coordinators were not informed beforehand.
The Importance of LSF for the Community
LSF is essential for Deaf people. Around 10,000 students in France rely on instruction in sign language. While hearing children receive eight hours of French classes per week, Deaf children in a few cities may only have two hours of LSF weekly—far from enough for true bilingual education.
The decision to eliminate LSF teaching positions continues a history of marginalization. After LSF was banned in 1880 at the Milan Congress, oralist education became the standard, forcing Deaf people to communicate verbally. The current CAPES closure is another step backward.
Impact on Teachers
This decision also affects teachers, whether Deaf or hearing signers. Without CAPES certification, many are forced into temporary or substitute positions without job security or benefits. In the LSF field, many teachers come from the nonprofit Deaf community and are already in precarious situations. Quentin Vasseur emphasizes that Deaf students in inclusive classes struggle without qualified LSF teachers.
Further Threats to LSF Education
LSF programs at Toulouse’s Jean Jaurès University are also at risk. The planned LSF professorship has been canceled for “budgetary reasons.” The DTIM department is the only program in France that trains Deaf and hearing students together in LSF, at both Bachelor’s and Master’s levels. It also prepares interpreters and translators for the Deaf. Without this position, the program faces potential disappearance.
Policy, Exclusion, and Resistance
Budget cuts and program closures increase the exclusion of already marginalized groups. It is not only a financial issue but also a question of educational rights and working conditions. In Toulouse, student mobilization successfully reopened the Agapes Master’s program, demonstrating that organized resistance can be effective.
Conclusion and Tips
The CAPES LSF closure is a serious blow to the Deaf community and LSF education in France. It threatens the training of future teachers, worsens conditions for students, and endangers the long-term preservation of the language.
Tips for those affected or supportive:
- Sign and share petitions to put pressure on ministries and universities.
- Raise awareness through articles, videos, and social media posts.
- Use networks of associations, students, teachers, and parents to coordinate action.
- Contact political representatives directly with letters or emails.
- Share clear information through simple texts and sign language videos.
This decision highlights the urgent need to actively defend LSF and the rights of Deaf people. Only through collective action can the language be protected and future generations supported.
