Evaluation for Sign Language Instructors
ASL INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATION IN CANADA
In recent years, American Sign Language (ASL) has become one of the most popular courses offered at many community colleges and adult education agencies in Canada. Deaf people and hearing people, such as friends, relatives, and parents of Deaf children, professionals working with the Deaf, fellow employees of the Deaf, employers of the Deaf, civic officers, and many others have become fascinated with ASL and wish to take courses.
Most instructors of ASL have been, and in many cases still are, teaching signs at their own pace, in their own format, without supervision. They have never been sure which ASL textbooks to use, how to screen students, what levels to teach, how to evaluate, where to get materials, etc. Are they teaching ASL or basic signs?
If instructors just show signs from a book, they are not teaching ASL but vocabulary. Students who have been taught in this manner have continually failed to meet the expectations of the Deaf Community for good signers. They end up knowing vocabulary but are unable to utilize the most important linguistic features of ASL.
Today institutions like community colleges and other agencies are looking for qualified ASL instructors and they have brought their concerns to the attention of the Canadian Cultural Society of the Deaf.
Since ASL has become widely recognized as a language in its own right, used by Deaf people in Canada and the United States, strategies of teaching ASL have changed considerably. The Deaf Community now demands formal instruction of ASL and this has led to the founding of Sign Language Instructors of Canada (SLIC), now known as Sign Languages Institute Canada. The organization will help ASL instructors across the nation become familiar with standard teaching methods and materials, and will provide a networking system.
OUR OBJECTIVES
- Provide in-service training/workshops to sign language instructors
- Develop criteria for ESLI
- Provide certification for ASL instructors
- Increase credibility and improve public relations of SLIC
- Share information related to the profession of sign language instruction
- Provide membership information
WE EVALUATE & CERTIFY ASL INSTRUCTORS
FOUR STEPS TO CERTIFICATION
Taking workshops or study groups is recommended to prepare for tests.
Step 1: Initial application
The potential candidates send their resume or CV by email to the SLIC office by the last Friday of January along with a payment of $250.00. The application package must also contain a letter from an organization of the Deaf with the record of teaching hours and workshops taken or presented. Applications arriving late will not be considered. If your application for evaluation is denied, we will refund you $200.00 minus $50.00 for processing your application.
Step 2: Evaluation manual
Upon being accepted for evaluation, candidates will be sent a candidate’s manual at the beginning of March outlining the evaluation procedures. We will give candidates at least 5 months to prepare before taking the online evaluation. You are required to submit certified proof of ASLPI rating before taking Phase #1.
Step 3: Testing
Phase #1: General Knowledge
Online multiple choice questions based on required reading and video viewings. If a candidate has failed the test and wishes to re-take, there is an $80.00 charge.
Phase #2: Structure of ASL
Online multiple choice questions. If a candidate has failed the test and wishes to re-take, there is an $80.00 charge.
Phase #3: Interview
The candidate will be interviewed by evaluators, conducted through video-conferencing. There is an $185.00 charge if the candidate wishes to re-take the Interview.
Step 4: Certification
A SLIC certificate will be sent to successful candidates. This document will certify that the candidate has met the requirements of ESLI and is qualified to teach ASL.
Required Readings
- Common European Framework of Reference of Language. Companion volume (Chapter 6)
- American Sign Language – A Teacher’s Resource Text on Curriculum, Methods, & Evaluation (Dennis Cokely & Charlotte Baker-Shenk)
- American Sign Language – A Teacher’s Resource Text on Grammar & Culture (Dennis Cokely & Charlotte Baker-Shenk)
- Sign Languages: Structures and Contexts (Joseph C. Hill, Diane C. Lillo-Martin & Sandra K. Wood)
- Deaf Arts Series Handbook – Volume 1
- BOPPPS page of Teaching Excellence & Innovation
Required Viewings
- Common European Framework of Language – An Introduction
- American Sign Language – A Teacher’s Resource Text on Curriculum, Methods, & Evaluation (DVD) (Dennis Cokely & Charlotte Baker-Shenk)
- A Sign of Respect (Thomas K. Holcomb)
- The Face of ASL – Basic Declarative Sentences, Basic Questions, Conditionals & Relative & Complex Sentences (DVD)
- ASL Numbers – Cardinal & Ordinal Systems, Incorporating Systems, Unique Systems (DVD)
OPTIONS OF EVALUATION
Please read carefully:
Option #1: General evaluation
The candidate shall:
- Be a member of a local, provincial or national organization of the Deaf and have a letter of reference from an executive of the organization.
- Have taught ASL for a minimum of 300 hours of documented instruction within a three year period.
- Consider ASL as your first language and have proficiency in ASL; rated at ASLPI of 4 or above.
- Have attended/taken ASL or ASL-related workshops and courses* in a recognized program** or under the direction of a recognized organization of the Deaf or educational institution in the past 5 years.
* Related courses are those pertaining to ASL, language teaching principles, Deaf culture, Deaf Studies and/or heritage, classroom management, teaching strategies, lesson planning, adult education, or curriculum.
** A recognized program is defined as follows: A recognized program of ASL instruction is one that is affiliated with a public or private agency, an educational institution or a continuing education program which has a supervisor or coordinator for ASL courses.
Option #2: Post-secondary education
The candidate shall:
- Be a member of a local, provincial or national organization of the Deaf and have a letter of reference from an executive of the organization.
- Consider ASL as your first language and have proficiency in ASL; rated at ASLPI of 4 or above.
- Have a minimum of master’s degree in Sign Language Teaching, Deaf Studies or a closely related field.
- Submit a curriculum vitae (CV) and an official transcript.
For general inquiries:
Sign Languages Institute Canada – info@slicanada.ca
Resumes and curriculum vitae (CV) are to be sent to SLIC: info@slicanada.ca
Please include your preferred email address for correspondence and evaluation purposes.
Payment options:
- Provide your credit card information Attention: Administrative Assistant to info@slicanada.ca
- E-transfer to info@slicanada.ca