Introduction to ASL-English Interpreting

The Associate in Arts in Introduction to ASL-English Interpreting prepares students for paraprofessional careers and for a baccalaureate degree in American Sign Language (ASL)-English Interpreting from a four-year college or university. Career opportunities exist in many industries such as education, medical, business, and government. Upon completion of the AA in Introduction to ASL-English Interpreting, students will have skills in communicating via ASL, knowledge of Deaf culture, and an introductory awareness of ASL-English Interpreting and other professions within the Deaf community.

Based on past and current patterns of change, and the expectation that these trends will continue, the certificate projection for 2022-2023 is: 19 students, and for 2023-2024: 25 students.

A survey was sent to current ASL students at SAC, and out of 165 survey respondents, 106 expressed a very high (n=75) and somewhat high (n=31) level of interest in an Associate Degree program.

Apply receptive and expressive skills in maintaining an ongoing dialogue in American Sign Language with fluent users.

Identify and explain the Deaf experience from cultural, educational, linguistic, sociological, psychological, and multicultural perspectives.

Describe the requirements, roles, and responsibilities of an ASL/English interpreter for the deaf, the skills and further education and training necessary to be a member of the profession.

​​Interpret a brief passage in American Sign Language to English and in English to American Sign Language that accurately reflects the meaning of the passage.

This program requires 4 courses of ASL instruction, as well as Language and Culture (ANTH/ENGL 104), Deaf Culture, and 2 interpreting courses. This is in addition to general education requirements.

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
ASL 110	American Sign Language I	4	Y1 - FA
ASL 111	American Sign Language II	4	Y1 - SP
ASL 210	American Sign Language III	4	Y2 - FA
ASL 211	American Sign Language IV	4	Y2 - SP
ANTH/ENGL 104/104H	Language and Culture	3	Y1 - FA/SP
ASL 112	Deaf Culture	3	Y2 - FA
ASL 113	Introduction to Interpreting for the Deaf	3	Y2 - SP
ASL 223	Beginning Interpreting and Ethics 2	3	Y2 - SP

The program belongs to the American Sign Language department. SAC offers an ASL certificate, Vietnamese / English Interpretation and Translation certificate, and Spanish/English Interpretation and Translation certificate.

Santiago Canyon College has an ASL certificate. Rio Hondo College has an AA degree in Foundations in Interpreting. Mt. San Antonio College has an AA degree in Sign Language & Interpreting.

Based on past and current patterns of change, and the expectation that these trends will continue, the certificate projection for 2022-2023 is: 19 students, and for 2023-2024: 25 students. A survey was sent to current ASL students at SAC, and out of 165 survey respondents, 106 expressed a very high (n=75) and somewhat high (n=31) level of interest in an Associate Degree program.