DSE Advancement│Training Bilingual Professionals! The first Higher Diploma in Sign Language and Bilingual Studies in Hong Kong

Sign language is an important communication channel for the hearing-impaired. At present, there are more than 150,000 hearing-impaired people in Hong Kong who have been lacking the assistance of professionals who are familiar with sign language and deaf culture.

In view of this, the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (CUSCS) of the Chinese University of Hong Kong has launched the first two-year full-time "Higher Diploma in Sign Language and Bilingual Studies" in Hong Kong. Bachelor of Arts”, CUHK’s Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics (Senior Year Entry) or related bachelor’s degree programmes from other institutions at home and abroad.

Become a dual-channel bilingual professional, in addition to developing into the fields of sign language interpretation, speech therapy, early childhood education, etc., it can also promote a society where the deaf and the healthy are inclusive.

Learning Dual Channels Bilingual Deep Dive into Linguistics

Bilingualism is the expression of "oral language and sign language", and dual-channel is the expression of "auditory and visual" at the same time. "Dual-channel bilingualism" is a brand-new academic research direction in the field of sign language linguistics in recent years.

The Higher Diploma in Sign Language and Bilingual Studies is co-organized by CUSCS and the Centre for Sign Language and Deaf Studies, Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages, CUHK. In addition to learning Hong Kong Sign Language, students will also understand the various scopes and research methods of language research, and establish a good language foundation.

Graduates will be proficient in spoken language and Hong Kong Sign Language, reflecting the advantages of dual-channel bilinguals, and their communication skills in Hong Kong Sign Language will be equivalent to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR) A2 level.

The course is suitable for all HKDSE graduates, Diploma Yi Jin or equivalent students. It is not designed for the hearing impaired.

Provide abundant internship opportunities and broad prospects for further education and employment

Sign language can be used in conjunction with speech therapy training. Adding sign language elements to early childhood education programs can also promote brain growth and language development.

The compulsory subject "Community Bilingualism Examination" provides a 60-hour internship, allowing students to go to different institutions, such as language centers, schools, NGOs, etc., to experience the use of bilingual communication, especially oral and sign language bilingual communication or Record and analyze the status of bilingual communication, etc.

After graduation, students can choose to apply for admission to the two-year "Bachelor of Arts in Dual-Channel Bilingual Studies" program of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, or other bachelor's degrees in linguistics, bilingual studies, translation and interpretation, speech therapy, audiology, education, cultural studies, etc. In addition to the courses, as the government, enterprises, NGOs and educational institutions are paying more and more attention to the rights and interests of the hearing-impaired, the Hong Kong society has a strong demand for sign language interpreters, and students have more opportunities for employment!

Zhang Hongbo, lecturer of the course, pointed out: "After graduation, students can have broad employment prospects with their professional bilingual ability, unique sign language level and keen social sense. Graduates can receive further training in education, sign language interpretation, social welfare and counseling, speech In addition, graduates of the program can use their dual-channel and bilingual majors in the future to bring far-reaching and positive effects to social integration.

The Higher Diploma in Sign Language and Bilingual Studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong's School of Professional and Continuing Education is suitable for all DSE candidates, graduates of the Diploma Yi Jin programme or those with equivalent qualifications. For details, please visit: www.cuscs.hk/hdslbs for more information!

(Information and photos provided by customers)