Apprendre l'ASL

teacher with three students

 

ASL

Due to the global pandemic, and in order to ensure the safety of our clients and staff, this service will be provided virtually for the foreseeable future.

ASL
Canadian Hearing Services offers sign language classes for individuals interested in learning American Sign Language (ASL).

American Sign Language (ASL) is the language of most Deaf Canadians. It is a visual language made up of specific gestures (signs), hand shapes and facial expressions. It has its own unique grammatical rules and sentence structure.

Our qualified Deaf instructors use Signing Naturally, a sign language curriculum developed at Vista Community College in Berkeley, California, that teaches both ASL and Deaf culture to help you understand the communication needs of the Deaf community.
A “no-voice” teaching method is used to reinforce the learning experience. Participants learn through classroom instruction and role-play, as well as through videotext and a workbook. The videotext and workbook supplement and reinforce the classroom instruction, providing an opportunity to review, practice and retain what has been taught. The videotext is also available through a digital on-line access code.  The access code is in the workbook which you will receive after registration.

We offer a range of courses, from beginner to advanced

  • Beginner courses are designed to introduce students to ASL. Concepts discussed relate to people, places and things within the immediate environment. Students learn to handle basic, everyday communication such as exchanging information, identifying/describing others, and asking for clarification.
  • Intermediate courses emphasize language in context: locating things, learning numeracy, making requests with inflection, talking about life events and family histories, describing objects and having social conversation.
  • Advanced courses focus on building narrative skills, moving from an informal to a more formal presentation, and on developing conversational skills used in everyday discussion.

Please register early to avoid course cancellation due to low enrolment.
Insufficient registrations may necessitate the cancellation of a course.

SUMMER 2022 SCHEDULE

CLASSES LEVEL DAY TIME WEEK START DATE END DATE
CHS ONLINE VIRTUAL Basic ASL Vocabulary for Older Adults 55+ SATURDAYS 9 AM - 10:30 AM 10 July 9, 2022 September 24, 2022 (no class July 30 & Sept 3)
CHS ONLINE VIRTUAL Basic ASL Vocabulary for Youth SATURDAYS 11 AM - 12:30 PM 10 July 9, 2022 September 24, 2022 (no class July 30 & Sept 3)
CHS ONLINE VIRTUAL ASL 101 SATURDAYS 9 AM - 12 PM 10 July  9, 2022 September 24, 2022 (no class July 30 & Sept 3)
CHS ONLINE VIRTUAL ASL 102 SATURDAYS 9 AM - 12 PM 10 July 9, 2022 September 24, 2022 (no class July 30 & Sept 3)
CHS ONLINE VIRTUAL ASL 101 MONDAYS 6 PM - 9 PM 10 July 11, 2022 September 26, 2022 (no class Aug 1 & Sept 5)
CHS ONLINE VIRTUAL ASL 101
Immersion
MONDAY - FRIDAY 9 AM - 4 PM 1 July 11, 2022 July 15, 2022
CHS ONLINE VIRTUAL ASL 102 TUESDAYS 6 PM - 9 PM 10 July 12, 2022 September 13, 2022
CHS ONLINE VIRTUAL ASL 102
Immersion
MONDAY - FRIDAY 9 AM - 4 PM 1 July 25, 2022 July 29, 2022
CHS ONLINE VIRTUAL ASL 101 TUESDAYS 9 AM - 12 PM 10 July 12, 2022 September 13, 2022
CHS ONLINE VIRTUAL ASL 301 TUESDAYS 6 Pm - 9 Pm 10 July 12, 2022 September 13, 2022
CHS ONLINE VIRTUAL ASL 304 TUESDAYS 6 PM - 9 PM 10 July 12, 2022 September 13, 2022
CHS ONLINE VIRTUAL ASL 103 WEDNESDAYS 6 PM - 9 PM 10 July 13, 2022 September 14, 2022
CHS ONLINE VIRTUAL ASL 103
Immersion
MONDAY - FRIDAY 9AM - 4 PM 1 August 8, 2022 August 12, 2022
CHS ONLINE VIRTUAL ASL 104 WEDNESDAYS 6 PM - 9 PM 10 July 13, 2022 September 14, 2022
CHS ONLINE VIRTUAL ASL 102 THURSDAYS 9 AM - 12 PM 10 July 14, 2022 September 15, 2022
CHS ONLINE VIRTUAL ASL 302 THURSDAYS 6 PM - 9 PM 10 July 14, 2022 September 15, 2022
CHS ONLINE VIRTUAL ASL 303 THURSDAYS 6 PM - 9 PM 10 July 14, 2022 September 15, 2022
How to choose your course

If you have no previous knowledge of ASL, you begin with ASL 101. If you have some ASL experience, contact asleducation@chs.ca to discuss a placement test.
Classes are open to anyone 16 years of age or older.

How long does it take to learn ASL?

Learning any language takes a great deal of time, energy and commitment. To be able to sign is only part of the process. You must also be able to understand ASL signed by a native user. People learn at different rates so it’s difficult to predict how long it will take to learn ASL.

Course Costs

All ASL classes are priced at $199* per student for registration, for any level.
Material Fees:

  • ASL 101 Signing Naturally Level 1 Workbook including DVD $145.00 (this workbook is also used for 102)
  • ASL 103 Signing Naturally Level 2 Workbook including DVD  $145.00 (this work book is also used for 104)
  • ASL 301 Signing Naturally Level 3 Workbook including DVD $145.00 (this workbook is used for 301-304)

Refund Policy:  Refunds will be provided up to 7 days before the course begins. Full refunds will not be provided after the 7 days. If you decide to withdraw, please contact asleducation@chs.ca no later than the third class to request a partial refund. No refunds are given after the 3rd class.  A $25.00 administration fee and $19.50 per class as applicable will be deducted from the refund. No refunds are given for student workbooks. Should you need to withdraw for a sufficient reason, a deferral is a second option subject to course availability.

How to register for courses

Click on the link to register and to pay online. Your registration will be confirmed immediately.
If you have any questions, please contact asleducation@chs.ca.

Student Testimonials

"Fabulous instructors taught the four ASL classes I took from CHS. The teachers' skills and experience with both American Sign Language and methods of instruction made the classes rich. 

The CHS courses followed the Signing Naturally curriculum. This well-rounded series of lessons incorporated language and culture. The skills taught at the CHS classes were the perfect next step in ASL acquisition. I strongly recommend CHS classes to anyone wanting to expand their ASL communication ability. 

The classes were easy to sign up for and join online. Thank you so much for making them available."

ASL Student, Lorraine Ortner-Blake

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"My experience in learning ASL at CHS could not have been better. My teachers were always encouraging as well as being very skilled at balancing receptive and expressive exercises with each member of the class. The Signing Naturally program progressed at a pace that was challenging and yet manageable."

ASL Student, Pamela Parker

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