American Sign Language and Literacy Instructor Program (Fast-Track) - Toronto - Ontario - George Brown College - I2383

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