Research has shown that children, who are autistic, developmentally disabled or have special needs benefit from learning Sign Language. Their parents, teachers, and caregivers benefit, too. Participate in this enjoyable, two-day course and learn signs and strategies that can help you and your child communicate more effortlessly and effectively.

Instructor: Staff

E Wala‘au K äkou Me Ka Pono
"Interpreters Deliver the Message Steadfastly and Righteously for Everyone"

ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Did you know ASL satisfies the Foreign/Hawaiian Language requirement for graduation?

The American Sign Language/Interpreter Education Program at Kapi‘olani Community College is the only one of its kind in the State. We offer a variety of credit, non-credit, and continuing education courses in American Sign Language and Interpreting.

One way to satisfy the Foreign/Hawaiian Language requirement for graduation is to enroll in our continuing education ASL courses, develop your language fluency, and take the ASL proficiency examinations. Another option, once you have completed any level of our courses, is to enroll in the next credit ASL course in the sequence and apply for Back Credits. If you pass that class with a “C” or better, you are eligible to get the appropriate number of language credits.We also tailor our courses and programs to meet the needs of businesses and organizations. Our customized training is a cost-effective way to enhance employees’ knowledge and skills. ASL, Deaf Culture, and Working with Interpreters are among the courses we can customize. ASL and Interpreting classes are approved for VA benefits. For questions about these benefits, customized training, or the program, please contact Jan Fried, program coordinator, at 734-9154 V/T.

BEING AN ASL/ENGLISH INTERPRETER
Wherever you find Deaf and hearing people interacting, you can find interpreters working.
Since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act and IDEA, the demand for qualified interpreters in Hawai‘i continues to grow. Have you ever wondered what it means to be a qualified ASL/English interpreter? The interpreter’s goal is to make the communication experience as complete as possible for both Deaf and hearing participants. Interpreters must convey as accurately as possible the thoughts, feelings, words, attitudes, and meaning of the messages presented, whether those messages are in English, American Sign Language, or other types of signed communication. To do this successfully, ASL/English interpreters have found they need to be more than bicultural and bilingual.

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE COURSES
Learning ASL has never been easier! The first step towards becoming an interpreter is to acquire fluency in American Sign Language. Making predictions about the length of time it takes to learn ASL is difficult since many students often devote three or more years to acquiring conversational proficiency. This is accomplished through formal classes and extensive interaction with Deaf people in the community.

KCC is pleased to offer several sections and levels of ASL.  Whether you are interested in learning ASL to become an interpreter, communicate with co-workers, family or friends, or simply for pleasure, enroll early in one of our classes. Each session, classes meet twice a week for eight weeks. Successful completion of both the A and B classes, taken over the course of any two sessions, entitles you to move on to the next level. Complete the Signing Naturally I text/DVD by taking ASL 1A - ASL 2B. ASL classes 3A - 4B complete the Signing Naturally II text/DVDs and the Signing Naturally III text and DVD are used for ASL 5. These textbooks/DVDs are available for purchase from the KCC Bookstore (Signing Naturally I is $60. Signing Naturally II is $70, and Signing Naturally III is $80.). You are also welcome to purchase them on-line from www.amazon.com or www.dawnsign.com.

Our instructors use only American Sign Language in class. This allows you to be fully immersed in an interactive, natural language-learning environment. These classes fill quickly, so register now! To determine which class is right for you or for more information, please call 734-9154 V/T.

REGISTER AT LEAST ONE WORKING WEEK BEFORE YOUR CLASS STARTS AND RECEIVE $5 OFF (WORKSHOPS NOT INCLUDED)!!

FYI! No classes January 21, February 18, and Spring Break, March 24-28.