Toronto program helps deaf newcomers connect with American Sign Language

When MaricrisNavarro moved to Canada from the Philippines two years ago, not only was she starting new life,she also faced the challenge of having to learn a new language.

But that language wasn't English. Navarro is deafand while she knew Filipino Sign Language, American Sign Language (ASL)was something very new to her.

"When I first arrived here, I was overwhelmed," she told CBCToronto.

With the assistance of a Toronto program that has been helpingnewcomers learn ASL for years, Navarro began to get her confidence back.

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The Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) offers full-day courses and has taught dozens of immigrants from all over the world how to communicate.

CBC Toronto spoke with Navarro with the help of a a sign language interpreter.

Navarro recently played a lead role in a performance put on by the centre. It was an experience she says she wouldn't have had the confidence for when she first arrived.

"I surprised myself," Navarro said. "Before I was very nervous and now I have a lot more confidence, especially in ASL."

Since being in the program, she says she's made several friendsand hopes that deaf or hearing-impaired newcomers all have the chance to access programs like this when they move to Canada.

'Might be their first language'

Knar Racanelliis Navarro's instructorat the Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf, teaching facial expressions used in ASL.

She explains that in many cases, students from other countries do not have access to education and therefore never had the opportunity to communicate in their country.

"It's really important to emphasize that a lot of individuals who are deaf from other countries have no exposure to education," Racanelli said.

"So it might be their first language that they ever learn officially is ASL."

The ASL class sizes are kept small to make for a better learning environment, but there are around 50 newcomers who are currently participating in the LINC program. It's funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

"Many countries throughout the world have their own sign language which is very different from American Sign Language, Racanelli said.

Racanelli said lessons start with photos of real life experiences like food or objects. She shows the students the sign that goes with that photo and that way the students can learn the relationship between the two concepts. From there the written English vocabulary is introduced.

"For individuals who are older and have late language acquisition it's very difficult for them to learn a new language later in life,but it's really important we give them the opportunity to do that."