American Sign Language Bilingual

American Sign Language (ASL) provides students with opportunities to acquire or maintain proficiency in ASL and English.

Goals

• Develop communication, language and literacy skills in ASL and English, and use both to receive instruction and demonstrate learning
• Develop individual student program plan that follows curriculum requirements set by Alberta Education
• Understand the components of signing, including hand shapes, orientation, location and body movement
• Learn the distinct grammatical differences that exist between English and ASL

Benefits

• Fluency in more than one language
• Improved communication skills in a student’s first language
• Increased competence and confidence communicating and interacting in a variety of situations
• ASL and English role models
• Ability to communicate and understand non-verbal cues and behaviours

Program delivery

• Smaller classes, small group and one-to-one instruction
• Use of ASL and English as languages of instruction
• Choice in learning environment includes Bilingual/Bicultural, Total Communication, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Special Education, Blended and Outreach
• Access to ASL specialist, educational assistant, educational interpreter, speech and language pathologist, occupational therapist, audiologist or aboriginal liaison worker as required

Alberta curriculum

All Edmonton Public Schools programming is based on curriculum determined by Alberta Education. Students enrolled in American Sign Language will receive the same high-quality education available in all of our programs.

Transportation

• Kindergarten to Grade 6 - Some yellow busing options are available.
• Grade 7 to 12 - Edmonton Transit is the preferred method of transportation.

For more information about busing, contact Alberta School for the Deaf or call Student Transportation at 780-429-8585.