Course description
The American Sign Language and Literacy Instructor (Fast-Track) program at George Brown College is designed to provide further training for people fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and English who are interested in becoming teachers of ASL, working with the families of young Deaf children, or working in literacy programs with Deaf and Deafblind adults. This is a broad-based program which gives students a solid foundation for work in these or related specialized areas. Most program courses will be taught in ASL. The program is open to Deaf and non-Deaf people.
The program is offered in a fast-track format with weekend and evening classes and intensive summer courses enabling students to complete the program in 15 months.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS PROGRAM?
ASL professionals currently employed or with experience in an ASL instruction or consulting environment, or who have an interest in the advancement of information about ASL and Deaf culture, will be interested in this program.
The themes in the program include first and second language acquisition and development and teaching theories, lifespan development, Deaf culture, ethics and professionalism, dynamics in Deaf Community: Contrastive Analysis, and general education with a major emphasis on work experience in the community.
This program has specific requirements for admission. Applicants will be required to demonstrate proficiency in American Sign Language through a bilingual suitability competency interview, and take an English test. Please contact the program co-ordinator for further information.
AS A GRADUATE OF THE ASL AND LITERACY INSTRUCTOR PROGRAM, WHERE WILL I WORK?
1. A variety of community agencies
2. Colleges
3. Businesses
4. Day programs
5. Schools
6. Organizations
7. Residential settings
8. Homes
WHO WILL I WORK WITH?
1. Deaf and non-Deaf individuals of all ages
2. Parents
3. Teachers
4. Professionals
5. Agency staff
6. Newly diagnosed Deaf children and babies
7. Adults improving their literacy skills
8. Community workers, e.g. social worker
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THE AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE AND LITERACY INSTRUCTOR?
An American Sign Language and Literacy Instructor is a Deaf and/or non-Deaf individual who has an advanced level of proficiency in American Sign Language, has advanced knowledge of Deaf culture and is skilled in planning/curriculum development.
American Sign Language and Literacy Instructors must be fluent in ASL. They must also have a thorough understanding of both Deaf and non-Deaf cultures and have the ability to make cultural adjustments when working between Deaf and non-Deaf individuals. They must adhere to an ethical and professional model of behaviour in a variety of settings.
Courses
SEMESTER 1
GSSC1103 Deaf Studies
SIGN1004 Syntax of ASL 1
SIGN2001 Semantics of ASL 1
GSSC1109 Lifespan Development
COMP1082 Computer Skills and Applications
COMM1007 College English
SIGN1048 Mentorship 1
GNED General Education Elective
SEMESTER 2
SIGN1013 Issues and Trends in the Deaf Community
SIGN1015 Syntax of ASL 2
SIGN2008 Semantics of ASL 2
HUMN2011 Values, Ethics and Professional Issues
SIGN2022 ASL Literature
SIGN3015 Entrepreneurial Skills
SIGN1049 Mentorship 2
GNED General Education Elective
SEMESTER 3
SIGN1042 Teaching Methods
SIGN1047 First and Second Language Acquisition and Development
SIGN2042 Program Design
SIGN2020 Assessment and Evaluation
SIGN2033 ASL-Developmental Linguistics
SIGN2043 Dynamics in the Deaf Community: Contrastive Analysis
SIGN2044 ASL and Early Literacy
SEMESTER 4
SIGN3008 ASL Discourse 1
SIGN2039 Internship
