FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What is the beginning level of ASL course?
Q: What kind of curriculum the CHS provide?
Q: How long will ASL 101 course take?
Q: How much does an ASL 101 cost?
Q: How long will it take to complete level one and two courses?
Q: Can I purchase the Signing Naturally ASL Level One workbook without attending class?
Q: When are ASL classes offered?
Q: Where are ASL classes offered?
Q: Will I receive a certificate or diploma if I complete ASL 101?
Q: What the does Student Feedback and Marks mean?
Q: Is there any admission requirement to undertake ASL course?
Q: Does Sign Language Services provide private tutoring?
Q: If I have not used ASL in the past year, do I need to review my ASL skills?
Q: I would like to takes an ASL course to help me communicate with my Deaf employees or relative or friends, but I can't afford to pay for the course. Is there any financial assistance available?
Q: Why is ASL taught entirely in ASL classes? And why is there no voicing allowed in ASL classrooms?
Q: What is the ASL 101 Beginners Level Course?
The beginner level course is called ASL 101. The Signing Naturally ASL Level 101 course covers units 1 to 6 including topics: Introducing Oneself, Exchanging Personal Information, Talking about Surroundings, Telling Where You Live and Talking about Family.
Q: What kind of curriculum does CHS provide?
The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) provides the Signing Naturally ASL curriculum. The program is very popular and is now widely used by colleges, universities and institutions throughout Canada and the United States. The Signing Naturally ASL program introduces students to the Deaf culture/community and enables them to explore and develop basic ASL communication/conversation skills.
Q: How long will ASL 101 course take?
The Signing Naturally ASL Level One workbook has 12 units of study; these have been split into three 30-hour long classes (ASL 101, 102 and 103). This means that you would attend class once a week for 3 hours over a 10 week period. Please note that all course tests and/or quizzes are held during regular class time. Class participation includes exercises in grammatical patterns, cultural and literary materials, dialogues, and conversational activities.
Q: How much does ASL 101 cost?
The course fee for ASL 101 is $175.00 and this does not includes materials. It is highly recommended that students purchase the Signing Naturally ASL Level One workbook with either a VHS version for $80.00 or a DVD for $90.00.
Q: How long will it take to complete level one and two courses?
The Signing Naturally ASL Level One (101,102,103) and Two (201, 202, 203) courses will take approximately one and half to two years to complete. These classes are primarily available Monday to Thursday in the evenings and also on Saturday mornings.
Q: Can I purchase the Signing Naturally ASL Level One workbook without attending class?
Normally, we do not sell the Signing Naturally ASL Level One workbooks to individuals who are not enrolled in ASL classes. We highly recommended students take our introductory course, ASL level one, since a course taught by a qualified Deaf instructor in the classroom is the best way to learn ASL. The Signing Naturally Level One workbook cannot teach you ASL fully, because it does not include ASL structure and grammar. Also, because Sign Language is such a visually intensive language, students benefit greatly from seeing and learning the language through qualified Deaf instructors.
Q: When are ASL classes offered?
The ASL classes are offered every fall, winter and spring semester. We also offer an intensive immersion program in summer. You can check our updated schedules online at: www.chs.ca/asl
Q: Where are ASL classes offered?
The ASL classes are held at The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) which is located at 271 Spadina Road, the southeast corner of Spading and Davenport, 2 blocks North of Dupont subway station.
Q: Will I receive a certificate or diploma if I complete ASL 101?
The Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) is a non-profit agency and is not an accredited educational institution. Students who successfully complete a course do not receive a certificate or diploma. However, they do receive a “Student Feedback and Marks”, which states that they have successfully completed Signing Naturally ASL Level One course, a 30-hour program and are recommended to advance to the next level of study.
Q: What the does Student Feedback and Marks mean?
Students have regularly used this Student Feedback and Marks to meet "Knowledge of Second Language" requirements for their workplace, post secondary educational requirements, or for other educational institutions (please check with your institution for their requirements). Some students wish to go on to become ASL interpreters and use the Letter of Standing to show how much language acquisition they have completed. The Letter of Standing will show the final grade and it will be handed to the student along with the final Student Report.
Q: Is there any admission requirement to be eligible to enroll in an ASL course at CHS?
According to Sign Language Services Policy, ASL classes are open to anyone 16 years of age or older with a minimum Grade 9 level of education.
Q: Does Sign Language Services provide private tutoring?
No, Sign Language Services does not provide private tutoring. However, should you wish to hire a private tutor Sign Language Services will direct your enquiry to all our ASL instructors. If an instructor is interested in your request, they will contact you directly. Fees, times, dates, duration of tutoring, and meeting locations will be determined by the ASL Instructor and yourself.
An ASL instructor will be able to quickly assess your sign language needs and work one-to-one with you to meet these needs thereby allowing you to maximize your ASL skills.
If you need a private tutor, please contact the Sign Language Services, sls@toronto.chs.ca if you already have an idea of which instructor you would like to work with, just let us know! Otherwise we will send out your request to all qualified ASL instructors who we have contact with.
Q: If I have not used ASL in the past year, do I need to review my ASL skills?
Yes, the Placement Test will determine which course level best fits your current skills and needs. Placement Tests are set up by appointment only and there is a $30.00 charge. The results of the test will determine which level you should enroll in.
If you wish to book a Placement Test, please contact the Sign Language Coordinator and suggest a date and time when you would be available to meet the Sign Language Coordinator. Placement Tests are generally available Monday to Friday, anytime between from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Placement Test runs for about 30 minutes.
Q: I would like to takes an ASL course to help me communicate with my Deaf child or relative or friends, but I can't afford to pay for the course. Is there any financial assistance available?
The Canadian Hearing Society’s mandate includes that resources and funding are a priority for Deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people. Funding tends to focus on providing services that enable Deaf, deafened and hard of hearing persons to lead independent lives. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide any financial assistance available for the ASL courses.
Q: Why is ASL taught entirely in ASL classes? And why is there no voicing allowed in ASL classrooms?
The ASL classes have a strict “no voice” policy in the classrooms. From the moment you enter the classroom, all conversation should be in ASL. From the first day, your classroom is a speech-free zone, before and after as well as during the class. You learning ability is greatly enhanced by this no voice environment.
