INTERPRETER TRAINING PROGRAMS

El Camino College offers an Associate Degree or a Certificate of Competence in Sign Language/Interpreter training.

The Sign Language/Interpreter Training Program provides instruction in the language system most used by deaf persons, American Sign Language (ASL).   Students learn general communication skills in sign language classes. Advanced technical proficiency may be gained through interpreter training classes for those seeking a career or part-time employment as an interpreter for the deaf or hearing impaired individuals.

In addition to the Sign Language curriculum, El Camino also has as ASL Laboratory that is open to students who wish to view Sign Language tapes or meet with other people to practice their signing skills.   El Camino also has an on-campus Sign Language club, "The Hands of Friendship".

Sign Language/Interpreter Training curriculum:

SL/IT 15:         Beginning American Sign Language
SL/IT 16:         Intermediate American Sign Language
SL/IT17A:        Advanced American Sign Language
SL/IT 17B:       Adavnced Comprehending American Sign Language
SL/IT 18A:       Fundamentals of Interpreting/Transliterating
SL/IT 18B:       Applied Interpreting/Transliterating Techniques
SL/IT 19:         Advanced Interpreting: Sign to Voice
SL/IT 20:         Interpreter Practicum
SL/IT 101:       Individualized American Sign Language Laboratory
SL/IT 201:       Perspecitves on Deafness
SL/IT 214:       Fingerspelling and  Numerical Concepts
SL/IT 263:       Interpreter Laboratory
SL/IT 264:       Sign to Voice Laboratory
SL/IT 95abcd:  Cooperative Career Education

SIGN LANGUAGE LAB

The El Camino College Sign Language Lab is designed to help students practice communicating with signs.  Students will practice and improve signing skills through:

• Interacting with other students
• Communicating face-to-face with an instructor and lab assistant
• Viewing a variety of videotapes with adult signers for improved comprehension
• Participating in activities designed to supplement American Sign Language classes

The lab offers a safe and nurturing environment to practice signing with peers, instructors, and deaf students.

Sign Language Lab Offers:

• An instructor and lab assistant who are fluent in American Sign Language
• An extensive library of videotapes, books, and articles to improve signing skills and knowledge of the deaf culture
• VCRs and large/small screen monitors
• A video camera to tape students signing

Sign Language Lab Benefits:

The lab curriculum is designed to enhance and supplement what studetns learn in American Sign Language classes.  The lab instructor and assistant are available to work one-to-one with studetns and help with class vocabulary, conversation, projects, etc.

Sign language classes combine theory (lecture) and practice (lab).  Most instructors, however, believe that additional practice outside is necessary.  Students who sign up for Sign Language Lab (SL/IT 101) have high-tech resources, as well as others to practice with, all at their fingertips!

• Practice sign language skills with other studetns while receiving guidance from faculty
• Join others and practice sign language in a safe, comfortable environment
• Gain access to videos and other learning resources to help increase your fluency

Sign Language Lab Operating Hours:

Lab hours ususally extend from early afternoon to early evening but may vary from semester to semester.  The El Camino College Schedule of Classes lists specific semester hours.

Getting Started:

Sign Language Lab (SL/IT 101) is a one-credit course.  The instructors, sections, and times are listed in the El Camino College Schedule of Classes.  Just choose a section at time of enrollment, but students may attend the lab in the Natural Science Building, Room 14, at any time it is open.

You must register to attend Sign Languag Lab; one unit of credit will be earned upon successful completion of the course.