GEORGE BROWN FULL-TIME PROGRAMS GUIDE 2010-2011

Deaf & Deafblind Studies

American Sign Language - English Interpreter Program
 

  
Admission Requirements and Fees

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See more information about Specific Admission Requirements for American Sign Language - English Interpreter program.

Student success in college requires well developed learning skills and attitudes (such as being able to work independently, participate in a team, be well-organised, develop good work habits, and show initiative). These skills are as important as prior academic achievement. Applicants should have thoroughly developed these skills and attitudes before beginning their college programs.

List of Courses

Applicant Questionnaire (pdf*)

OUR PROGRAM

The American Sign Language - English Interpreter program at George Brown College will prepare students to work as effective sign language interpreters facilitating communication between Deaf and non-Deaf people. The ASL-English curriculum combines theoretical and practical learning experiences that will further develop the students’ linguistic knowledge and understanding of the two languages, as well as their awareness of Deaf and non-Deaf cultures.

Students will have the benefit of a variety of learning environments, including the classroom, laboratory practice and field placements. Skills are applied during the five field placements that take place in all but the first semester. The program combines theory and practical experience, allowing participants to learn specialized techniques of interpreting in a variety of settings. Further learning is enhanced through field excursions and guest speakers currently involved in the field.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

This program has specific requirements for admission. Applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in American Sign Language and English. Applicants must have completed the ASL and Deaf Studies program (C114) or equivalent as candidates must have at least 200 hours of ASL instruction, and be able to demonstrate basic interpersonal communicative skills in ASL.

Demonstration of proficiency in both languages will be done through required screening sessions and as such applicants must be able to hear and see. Applicants are required to view the program website at www.georgebrown.ca/~cmcdermi prior to screening. Please contact the program co-ordinator for further information.

Students are required to own or have regular access to a camcorder for practice and assignments.

Note: In compliance with requests from our student placement partners, all students in this program must have a police reference check completed before their field placement. These reference checks, which can take several weeks, are done to protect the clientele of these agencies, who are considered “vulnerable persons” under the law. The fees for the reference checks vary and must be paid by the student. Students are responsible for ensuring that the check covers appropriateness for “individuals being employed and/or volunteering who will be working with vulnerable person(s).” Students who are unable to provide a clear police reference check may be unable to complete their field placement and, therefore, be unable to complete the program.

PART-TIME STUDY OPTIONS

George Brown College also offers evening courses in basic American Sign Language. Visit coned.georgebrown.ca.

YOUR CAREER

Graduates will be qualified for careers as entry-level sign language interpreters with social service agencies, government contracts, community residential settings, specialized school programs and institutions. Many sign language interpreters are self-employed.

“Achieving a basic understanding of a rich new language, culture and community in three short years was awe-inspiring. This program, with its focus on skill development and cultural awareness, provided me with the tools to grow professionally. As an interpreter, I am constantly challenged and exposed to many different environments. I am fortunate to have the foundation of the American Sign Language-English Interpreter program. I love my career, and am excited to find out where it takes me.”

Mike Glover (2003 graduate, ASL-English Interpreter)

Anna Lee takes her job as an American Sign Language-English interpreter very seriously and for good reason. In 1997, she was part of a pioneering program at George Brown College that set out to produce interpreters who could mediate across languages and cultures. By immersing students in Deaf culture through various field placements, the American Sign Language-English Interpreter program at George Brown allowed Lee and her classmates to learn a new language along with all of its cultural aspects.

" ASL is a visual language. You really need to see and feel the work being done. Then you need to come back to the classroom and talk about it. It’s a constant cycle of learning,” she says.

Anna Lee (2000 graduate, ASL-English Interpreter)

Courses

SEMESTER 1
SIGN1002       Introduction to the Profession
GSSC1103      Deaf Studies
SIGN1004       Syntax of ASL I
SIGN1050       Theories of Interpretation
SIGN1051       English Processing and Translation
SIGN1052       ASL Processing and Translation
COMM1153   Elements of English Linguistics

SEMESTER 2
SIGN1007       ASL Practicum and Seminar I
SIGN1054       Consecutive Interpreting I
SIGN1013       Issues and Trends in Deaf Community
SIGN1015       Syntax of ASL II
COMM1122   Advanced English for ASL Students

SEMESTER 3
SIGN1009       Consecutive Interpreting: ASL to English I
SIGN1010       Consecutive Interpreting: English to ASL I
SIGN2001       Semantics of ASL I
SIGN2017       Field Placement and Seminar II
SIGN2015       ASL Classifiers I
HUMN2001    Values, Ethics and Professionalism

SEMESTER 4
SIGN2002       Consecutive Interpreting: English to ASL II
SIGN2008       Semantics of ASL II
SIGN2018       Field Placement and Seminar III
SIGN2013       Consecutive Interpreting: ASL to English II
SIGN2016       ASL Classifiers II
GNED             General Education Elective

SEMESTER 5
SIGN3008       ASL Discourse I
SIGN3009       Simultaneous Interpreting: ASL to English I
SIGN3018       Field Placement and Seminar IV
SIGN1012       Linguistics of ASL
SIGN3010       Interpreting in Specialized Settings

SEMESTER 6
SIGN3013       ASL Discourse II
SIGN3014       Simultaneous Interpreting: ASL to English II
SIGN3015       Entrepreneurial Skills for Interpreters
SIGN3019       Field Placement and Seminar V

Curriculum under review. Course titles and sequence subject to change with limited notice.

For more information,
Call the George Brown School of Deaf and Deafblind Studies
at 416-415-5000, ext. 2185 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
e-mail:

For updated information and course descriptions, call 416-415-2000 (TTY 1-877-515-5559) or long distance 1-800-265-2002.

George Brown College is continually striving to improve its programs and their delivery. The information contained in this calendar is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College admission, graduation, and fee requirements as well as any requirements of outside institutions, industry associations, or other bodies that may award additional designations concurrently with, or after completions of, a George Brown College program.

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Revised: November 2, 2009