Please note:

Financial support is available to eligible applicants in the form of a leadership education grant and leadership travel grant. Apply online at ecegrants.on.ca.

To effectively participate in this program, students must have reliable Internet access and a device that meets these requirements.

About the program

Conestoga College and Canadian Hearing Services are pleased to offer the American Sign Language (ASL) Basic Skills joint certificate part-time program.

ASL is the language of most deaf Canadians. It is a visual language comprising specific gestures (signs), hand shapes, and facial expressions with unique grammatical rules and sentence structure. This program will interest those wishing to develop sign language concepts and basic ASL skills.

Our qualified Deaf instructors use an established curriculum that teaches ASL and deaf culture. You will learn abstract concepts dealing with the environment outside of the classroom and an introduction to deaf culture, where language, values, rules, and traditions will be explored.

An immersive "no-voice" teaching method reinforces the learning experience. You will learn through classroom instruction, role-play, and online learning materials. The online learning materials supplement and reinforce classroom instruction, providing an opportunity to review, practice, and retain what has been taught.

This program will give you sufficient skills to communicate, at a basic level, with members of the deaf community in various situations.

Program information

All courses must be completed within 5 years of acceptance into the program.

Admission requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, OR 19 years of age or older.

Note re: admission requirements

  • Students must be able to receive instruction, respond and research in the English language.

Admission procedures

  • Apply at Ontario Colleges - www.ontariocolleges.ca
  • Final selection is made following an assessment of the admission requirements.

Graduate opportunities

For more details on related occupations, job market information and career opportunities, see the Government of Canada website: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home

Program outcomes

  • Use expressive, receptive and grammatical American Sign Language skills to communicate effectively with members of the Deaf Community in a variety of situations.
  • Discuss various features of Deaf Culture, including language values, rules of behaviour and traditions.

Program related resources

Program affiliations

Program contact

Continuing Education
Upcoming registrations

Mark your calendar with our registration dates, so you can plan your future.

Spring registration: Now open
Fall registration: Opens July 21, 2025