American Sign Language Courses
Thanks to generous support from Calgary Learns, DHA can provide financial assistance to adults that cannot afford these programs. This assistance can be offered to residents of Calgary only at this time.
Please contact Cindy Pilz at cindyp@deafandhearalberta.ca if you need assistance.
Signing Naturally | Family Focused ASL | ASL Summer Camp | Customized Courses
Deaf Alberta offers American Sign Language (ASL) courses to individuals, groups and organizations.
All of our ASL courses are “no voice zones”, full immersion classes taught by qualified Deaf instructors, whose first language is American Sign Language. For more information on our different sign language courses, please view the links below.
Please note: the following Course Withdrawal policy applies to all of our courses:
Course Withdrawal Policy
- Refunds are not issued once classes have begun.
- Refunds are not issued for non-attendance.
- An administrative fee of $25 will be charged for each withdrawal request. This administrative fee will be waived for a transfer to another course.
- Refunds will be issued only if withdrawal is requested at least 5 business days prior to course start.
- Refunds will be processed within ten business days.
- A full refund will be given if a course is cancelled by Deaf Alberta
Registration is now open for our Signing Naturally and Family Focused ASL Immersion Weekends! Scroll down to register.
Signing Naturally
Deaf Alberta is the premier provider of this full immersion (no voice), curriculum-based course for those wanting to learn the beauty and nuances of this visual language. Participants are able to progress in their learning through sequential levels of difficulty. The Signing Naturally series is recognized as the curriculum for serious students wishing to learn ASL, and is the first step towards becoming a sign language interpreter in Alberta.
Thanks to generous support from Calgary Learns, DHA can provide financial assistance to adults that cannot afford these programs. This support can be offered to Calgary residents only at this time.
Please contact Cindy Pilz at cindyp@deafandhearalberta.ca if you need assistance.
** Choose from 10 week course (one class per week) or 5 week course (two classes per week) at our Calgary office.**
**Registration for all classes is now available. Register before EARLY BIRD DEADLINE to save $50 off your registration fees.
Signing Naturally 101 (Units 1-3)
This course begins with the basics and will provide anyone with no former knowledge of ASL a basic level of competency. It covers everyday language and phrases, and includes information on Deaf culture.
NEW! Class to be offered in Edmonton.
Fee: $290+ textbook ($140) = $430 (plus GST)
Calgary 10 Week Class
Date: Sept 12 – Nov 14, 2017 (Tuesdays)
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Deaf & Hear Alberta, 63 Cornell Road NW, Calgary
Register online here (Early bird deadline August 29)
Calgary 5 Week Class
TBA
Edmonton 10 Week Class
Date: Sept 11 – Nov 20, 2017 (Mondays)
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Alberta School for the Deaf, Edmonton (to be confirmed)
Register online here (Early bird deadline August 28)
Signing Naturally 102 (Units 4-6)
Level 102 continues with more vocabulary, with an increased focus on grammar and sentence structure.
$290+GST (for past participants with textbook) and $430+GST (for new participants without textbook)
Edmonton 10 Week Class
Date: Sept 13 – Nov 15, 2017 (Wednesdays)
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Alberta School for the Deaf, Edmonton (to be confirmed)
Register online here (Early bird deadline August 30)
Calgary 10 Week Class
Date: Sept 13 – Nov 15, 2017 (Wednesdays)
Time: 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Deaf & Hear Alberta, 63 Cornell Road NW, Calgary
Register online here (Early bird deadline August 30)
Calgary 5 Week Class
TBA
The same textbook is used for both levels 101 and 102. If you do not have a textbook, it can be purchased from us for an additional $100. Simply choose “class plus textbook” when registering online.
Signing Naturally 103 (Units 7-9)
Signing Naturally 103 is intended for those who have completed both levels 101 and 102 and wish to advance to the next level. Vocabulary and grammar continue to be emphasized, with an increased focus on conversation.
Early Bird Fee: $325 + textbook ($140) = $465 (plus GST)
After early bird deadline: $375 + textbook ($140) = $515 (plus GST)
Calgary 10 Week Class
Date: Sept 14 – Nov 16, 2017 (Thursdays)
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Deaf & Hear Alberta, 63 Cornell Road NW, Calgary
Register online here (Early bird deadline August 31)
Calgary 5 Week Class
TBA
NEW! Edmonton 10 Week Class
Date: Sept 14 – Nov 16, 2017 (Thursdays)
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Location: Alberta School for the Deaf, Edmonton (to be confirmed)
Register online here (Early bird deadline August 31)
**NEW! Signing Naturally 104 (Units 10-12)
Early Bird Fee: $325 + textbook ($140) = $465 (plus GST)
After early bird deadline: $375 + textbook ($140) = $515 (plus GST)
Calgary 10 Week Class
Date: Sept 13 – Nov 15, 2017 (Wednesdays)
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Deaf & Hear Alberta, 63 Cornell Road NW, Calgary
Register online here (Early bird deadline August 30)
NEW! Edmonton 10 Week Class
Date: Sept 14 – Nov 16, 2017 (Thursdays)
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Location: Alberta School for the Deaf, Edmonton (to be confirmed)
Register online here (Early bird deadline August 31)
Signing Naturally 201 (Units 13-14)
The first course in the 200 level, Signing Naturally 201 covers Units 13-14 is designed for students who have completed levels 101 through 103. Students will learn how to talk in both past and present tense, as well as engage in more abstract conversation.
Fee: $290+ textbook ($140) = $430 (plus GST)
Calgary 10 Week Class
Date: Sept 12 – Nov 14, 2017 (Tuesdays)
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Deaf & Hear Alberta, 63 Cornell Road NW, Calgary
Register online here (Early bird deadline August 29)
Signing Naturally 202 (Unit 15)
Students in level 202 (Unit 15) will continue to work on their conversational skills, while learning about narrative structure and transitions.
$290+GST (for past participants with textbook) and $430+GST (for new participants without textbook)
Calgary 10 Week Class
Date: Sept 13 – Nov 15, 2017 (Wednesdays)
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Deaf & Hear Alberta, 63 Cornell Road NW, Calgary
Register online here (Early bird deadline August 30)
Calgary 5 Week Class
To be announced.
Signing Naturally 203 (Units 16-17)
$290+GST (for past participants with textbook) and $430+GST (for new participants without textbook)
Calgary 10 Week Class
Date: Sept 14 – Nov 16, 2017 (Thursdays)
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Deaf & Hear Alberta, 63 Cornell Road NW, Calgary
Register online here (Early bird deadline August 31)
Calgary 5 Week Class
To be announced.
Signing Naturally 301
This is the first course in the 300 level, for students who have completed all levels through 203. For advanced students. Please check back for upcoming dates!
$290 + textbook ($140) = $430 plus GST
Calgary 10 Week Class
Date: TBA
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Deaf & Hear Alberta, 63 Cornell Road NW, Calgary
Registration coming soon.
Signing Naturally 302
Calgary 10 Week Class
Date: TBA
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Deaf & Hear Alberta, 63 Cornell Road NW, Calgary
Registration coming soon.
Signing Naturally 303
Calgary 10 Week Class
Date: TBA
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Deaf & Hear Alberta, 63 Cornell Road NW, Calgary
Registration coming soon.
Family Focused ASL Immersion Weekends
With great support from the Children’s Hospital Aid Society, the Nickle Family Foundation, the Rotary Club of Calgary, Calgary Southridge Lions Club, and the Calgary Heritage Lions Club, we are able to offer Family Focused ASL Weekend Immersion and Summer Learning Week.
With generous support from Calgary Learns, DHA can provide financial assistance to adults that cannot afford these programs. Please contact Cindy Pilz if you need assistance.
Family Focused ASL is exclusive to Deaf & Hear Alberta, and features common everyday language used within the family setting.
FFASL provides a unique learning environment intended for families with Deaf (or with severe or progressive hearing loss) members and professionals who works with children who are Deaf or developmental disability. Together, families and professionals can improve communication in a quick and easy format. The suggested minimum age of children is 6 years.
Thanks to our generous funders, there is no cost for this program.
Please note: Due to high demand for this program, please register for a session once you are sure you are available for the full session. If you register, please plan to attend as there are other people who would like take your spot!
2017 Family Focused ASL Immersion Weekends will be at Deaf & Hear Alberta, 63 Cornell Road NW, Calgary, AB
Classes begin on Friday (7-9 p.m.), with Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm.
Cost: No cost
Weekend 1: March 10-12, 2017. Register here. Deadline: Wednesday, March 8.
Weekend 2: May 12-14, 2017. Register here. Deadline: Wednesday, May 10. This session is intended for those with some experience in ASL.
Summer Learning Week: July 10-14, 2017. Summer Learning Week runs Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until noon. Register here. Deadline: Wednesday, July 5. This session is intended for those with no experience in ASL.
Weekend 3: October 13-15, 2017. Register here. Deadline: Wednesday October 11. This session is intended for those with some experience in ASL.
ASL Summer Camp 2017
ASL Summer Camp is open to anyone who is keen to learn ASL for the first time, or for those with some signing skills to advanced levels. The camp is held at our Calgary office at 63 Cornell Road NW. Minimum suggested age is 16 years old.
There are 3 different levels :
- Basic: No American Sign Language background knowledge to minimum knowledge (0-50 signs)
- Intermediate: Basic ASL skill to Intermediate (50-200 signs)
- Advanced: Intermediate to Advanced skills (200 or more signs)
NEW this year: two weeks to choose from – pick the week that works best for you!
Cost: Before early bird deadline $250. After early bird deadline $300.
Date: Aug 14 – 17, 2017 Monday – Thursday. Early bird deadline: July 31, 2017. Register here.
If you are not sure what level you are at, or for any other information, please contact Cindy Pilz, cindyp@deafandhearalberta.ca.
Customized Courses
Do you have a Deaf employee at your workplace? Does your organization work with Deaf children or adults? We can customize a course for you with a special focus on vocabulary that is particular to your organization. We recommend a minimum 6 instructional hours.
To arrange for a customized course, contact our Manager of Deaf Services, Cindy Pilz, by email: cindyp@deafandhearalberta.ca
