
Honors Bachelor of Interpretation (American Sign Language – English)
Toronto, Canada
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2025
TUITION FEES
CAD 21,003 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
Leadership Claims
The first degree of its kind in Canada.
George Brown College’s Honours Bachelor of Interpretation (American Sign Language – English) program was developed to address the growing demand for qualified Sign Language Interpreters. This degree helps prepare graduates for work in this dynamic field.
An interpreter is a fluent bilingual-bicultural professional, facilitating communication between those who do not share the same language or culture.
To be a sign language interpreter requires manual dexterity, critical thinking skills, visual-spatial recognition, excellent short- and long-term memory, and superior cognitive processing abilities in order to process information instantaneously at a level of bilingual and bicultural expertise beyond conversational fluency. For non-Deaf interpreters, this will also include auditory-processing capabilities.
Over the course of four years, students will continue to improve and hone both their English and American Sign Language proficiencies while studying to become interpreters.
This program focuses on seven areas of learning:
- Language and Culture.
- Field Fundamentals.
- Interpreting Skills.
- Research Methods/Trends.
- Ethics and Professionalism.
- Breadth Electives.
- Field and Community Experience.
For applicants with a diploma or advanced diploma in American Sign Language – English interpretation, an advanced entry option is available. For details on how to apply, see our How to Qualify and Apply tab.
Is this program right for you?
Interpreting is a very rewarding but demanding field of work. Successful interpreters typically possess the following attributes:
- a strong command of both English and American Sign Language
- an excellent memory
- the ability to concentrate and focus easily and for long periods of time
- the ability to process and analyze information quickly (cognitive processing skills)
- the ability to multitask
- versatility
- a willingness to be flexible
- strong communication skills
- excellent interpersonal skills
In preparation for field placement, students will be required to work in multiple small and large groups, both in classes and community settings. Attendance and participation are key elements of program success.
Your Field Education Options
420-Hour Internship Experience (unpaid)
Students wishing to become successful in the field of interpreting should expect to dedicate a significant amount of time to developing their craft outside the classroom.
To help students transition their skills from a controlled classroom environment to the real world, students are required to complete an internship program. This senior internship, offered in the Fall semester of the fourth year, is approximately 420 hours (equivalent to 14 weeks). During this time students will apply their skills, abilities, and knowledge in a variety of environments.
Students will work under the close supervision of a professional interpreter, develop a greater understanding of policy implications for sign language interpreters and engage in research.
As most interpreters in Ontario are self-employed independent contractors, these opportunities are not typically paid positions. These intensive field opportunities are meant to provide a rich learning experience and the chance to strengthen interpreting skills.
Volunteer student interpreting services (GBC-VSIS)
In addition to field placement and internship, the fourth-year students provide limited pro bono interpreting services in authentic settings within the GTA by offering Volunteer Student Interpreting Services.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships for international students at George Brown College are generally in-program awards based on students’ academic performance (and other criteria) at George Brown College after the beginning of the academic program.
Curriculum
Required Courses
Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 |
Select one Liberal Studies Elective |
Select one Liberal Studies Elective |
Select one Liberal Studies Elective |
Semester 4 | Semester 5 | Semester 6 |
Select one Liberal Studies Elective |
Select one Liberal Studies Elective* |
Select one Liberal Studies Elective |
Semester 7 | Fall | Semester 8 |
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Select one Liberal Studies Elective |
Program Outcome
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Analyze and critically apply current interpreting research trends as they inform meaning-based interpreting practices.
- Analyze the power dynamics that affect human communication, including the impact of the interpreter’s decisions and influence.
- Respect the cross-cultural needs of participants in an interpreted interaction in a professional and ethical manner.
- Articulate societal views of Deaf culture, the Deaf community, multiculturalism, oppression, audism, global history of Deaf people, sign language linguistics, and language variations.
- Use current research literature to analyze key issues relating to the practice and profession of interpreting.
- Determine appropriate modes of interpreting using evidence-based practice, effective interpersonal and professional skills.
- Perform effectively as an interpreter by incorporating current research and recognizing contextual factors including language and culture.
- Perform accurate and effective translations, consecutive and simultaneous interpretations.
- Use communicative language abilities in a first and second language as required to accommodate specific dialogic interactions.
- Use professional and ethical judgment in decision-making while respecting the diversity, equity, equality, and rights of all participants.
- Engage in lifelong learning and reflective professional development.
- Assess personal competencies and limitations in the use of multicultural and multi-contextual approaches to communication.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Career Options
If you are interested in a dynamic career that provides meaningful and varied work, then becoming an American Sign Language-English Interpreter is the career for you. Graduates of this program will find interpreting opportunities in a variety of sectors and venues as demand for interpreters is increasing in response to national and provincial legislation, including mandated implementation of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and the Government of Canada's Bill C-81, the Accessible Canada Act.
Graduates will be prepared to work as ASL-English interpreters in a number of private and public environments such as:
- educational settings
- medical settings
- legal contexts
- business interactions
- social service agencies
A wide range of employment opportunities exists for interpreters. Established interpreters may hold such job titles as:
- ASL-English interpreter
- designated interpreter
- ASL consultant
- conference interpreter
- community interpreter
- translator