Professional Interpreting (American Sign Language/English)

Diploma of Applied Arts

Duration: 3 semesters

Program Description

The Professional Interpreting (American Sign Language/English) program develops the skills required to function as an American Sign Language/English interpreter in facilitating communications between hearing and deaf individuals in a wide variety of community based settings. Students will develop skills in advanced ASL as well as in both consecutive and simultaneous interpretation. In addition to full-time classes, students are required to attend deaf community events. These may include conferences, working retreats, sports events, meetings, informal gatherings and more. Students are required to conform to personal appearance standards while on experiences.

It is important to note that sign language interpreting requires rapid mental processing, maturity with the ability to deal with stress, large audiences and to interpret in highly sensitive personal settings. Interpreting requires taking a message from one language and cultural context, and expressing it in another without altering the meaning. Applicants are required to have enhanced American Sign Language skills, advanced English skills, and demonstrate an understanding of the deaf culture, the deaf community, and strong ethics.

Program Courses

• SSIC Specialized Settings/Interactive Communications
• CIN1 Consecutive Interpretation I
• FISE1 Field Seminar I
• IHPO Introduction to/History of the Profession
• PIN1 Principles of Interpreting I
• CM2200 English I
• LSI2 Language Skills for Interpreters II
• AASL2 Advanced ASL II
• ENG2 English II
• FIOB1 Field Observation (1 Day Per Week)
• CIN2 Consecutive Interpretation II
• STSU Student Success
• PIN2 Principles of Interpreting II
• FISE2 Field Seminar II/Portfolio
• AASL1 Advanced
• ASL1 SIIN Simultaneous Interpretation
• FIOB2 Field Placement II (20 Days)
• FISE3 Field Seminar III/Portfolio
• PRET(PI) Professional Ethics
• FIOB3 Field Placement III (20 Days)
• AASL3 Advanced ASL III

Employment Opportunities

Upon successful completion of the Professional Interpreting (American Sign Language/English) program, students will be qualified depending on specific hiring practices to work as American Sign Language/English Interpreters in entry-level positions. This will include providing interpreting services in a variety of settings such as educational, community agencies, business, workshops, entertainment settings, and in any other situation requiring communication support between deaf and hearing individuals.

Entrance Requirements

High School Graduates or Equivalent

High School Graduates or equivalent are eligible for admission to the Professional Interpreting (American Sign Language/English) program. Students must complete an application form and provide a copy of High School, Adult Basic Education or G.E.D. results. Under certain circumstances students who do not complete the formal High School requirements may be accepted upon the recommendation of a High School Principal or Guidance Counsellor. Please contact an Admissions Officer for further details.

Mature Students

Mature students are eligible for admission to the American Professional Interpreting (American Sign Language/English) program. These students must be at least 19 years of age, complete an application form, provide a copy of recent marks and write a Canadian Adult Achievement Test (CAAT) as arranged by Academy Canada.

Specific Entrance Requirements

Students must successfully complete an English Competency Test and must successfully complete an ASL Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) or equivalent. Please note that the level required in the ASLPI entrance requirements in the interpreting program exceeds the level required in the ASLPI exit requirements in the Sign Language and Deaf Studies program. Students must also successfully complete a screening process arranged through Academy Canada that would provide the applicant with an opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of the deaf community, deaf culture, hearing culture and the field of Sign Language Interpreting as well as skills, knowledge and attitude. NOTE: There may also be exit requirements for the successful completion of this program.

For further information, please contact an Admissions Officer at 1-800-561-8000.

Program start dates are subject to sufficient enrollment.

Academy Canada reserves the right to modify any programs, courses, topics, objectives, etc.