Sign Language Services - Toronto Region
The Canadian Hearing Society invites you to learn more about this rich, expressive language and the proud heritage of the Deaf community in the Greater Toronto area.
American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language comprised of specific gestures (signs), hand shapes and facial expressions. ASL has its own unique grammatical rules and sentence structure. It is the official language of the Deaf community in Canada and the United States. Deaf people have their own culture, and sign language is one element of that culture.
In our introductory ASL course, the Signing Naturally ASL Level One Workbook is designed to introduce you to the basics of American Sign Language (ASL). This course is ideal for individuals who have little or no experience. Level One will also introduce you to the culture of Deaf people and their community.
Our ASL classes enable students to explore the beautiful language and enjoy the benefits of learning from a native qualified Deaf instructor. The ASL courses include lectures, group discussions, activities, and the educational videotapes that are viewed during class.
The classes are held for three hours, once a week, for 10 consecutive weeks in the spring, fall and winter sessions. In the summer session, we offer an intensive one-week immersion course scheduled between July and August every year. This immersion program runs from Monday to Friday for five full days.
The program was designed for persons who wish to acquire a thorough foundation in Deaf Culture and American Sign Language.
We also offer services to companies, hospitals, libraries and other places of business by arranging instructors to teach at different locations in the Toronto area. If you have 10 or more staff members who are interested in learning sign, CHS would be happy to set up a class on your site.
Sign language can help bridge the communication gap between you and the Deaf community.
Please feel free to explore our website for the new schedule of ASL classes. Contact Sign Language Services by e-mail at slstoronto@chs.ca for further information.
