Professional Diploma Programme in Sign Language Interpretation (QF Level: 4; QF credit: 68; QR Registration No.: 18/000055/L4)

This programme is open for enrollment until 30 June 2023 (Friday). Enquiry: course@cslds.org

Programme duration:	16 months (Part-time mode)
Programme start date:	October 2023
Timetable:	Click here to download
Venue:	CUHK
Tuition fee:	HK$30,000 (effective from the new cohort. The fee is payable in two instalments, HK$15,000 for each instalment.)
Total contact hours:	255 hours
Open for application:	17 March 2023 (Friday)
Deadline for application:	30 June 2023 (Friday)
Application fee:	HK$300
Application procedures:	Please post the completed application form and documents below to Rm 104, Academic Building No. 2, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Subject: Application for the Professional Diploma Programme in Sign Language Interpretation) by 30 June 2023 (Friday): Original copy of the bank-in slip or a screenshot of the online bank transfer record/FPS payment record* of application fee Hong Kong Identity Card (soft copy) Certificates of academic qualifications (soft copy), e.g., HKCEE, HKDSE etc.

Application form: Download
Poster: Download
Scholarship: Regulations and Recommendation letters and Application form

Continuing Education Fund:

Course detail:
https://www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/cef/en/preparation/course_search_detail.php?i=24F098514&area=24-SGN&P=1
Eligibility: https://www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/cef/en/preparation/eligibility.htm
Reimbursable Expenses and Other Conditions:
https://www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/cef/en/preparation/expenses.htm
Application procedures: https://www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/cef/en/application/procedures.htm
How to claim reimbursement: https://www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/cef/en/claim/procedures.htm
Enquiry: https://www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/cef/en/contact.htm

Programme objectives:

The objectives of the Programme are to: 

1. offer academically grounded practical training in consecutive and simultaneous interpretation between a sign and a spoken language; and
2. develop professional skills, role and ethical behaviour in sign language interpreters; and
   
3. prepare students for more advanced training in Sign Interpretation

Programme features: 

The programme provides theoretical and practical training in sign interpretation for students who have a good command of Hong Kong Sign Language (HKSL), Cantonese and spoken English but lack knowledge and skills about interpretation between these languages. Through this professional diploma training, those who are interested to develop a career in sign language interpreting and current sign language interpreters who expect to enhance their skills through relevant training will be prepared to apply knowledge to support communication between deaf and non-deaf participants in different social domains such as education, medical services, information access, and social services. In addition to fulfilling the attendance requirement and passing the assessments, students need to conduct practicum during the last session of the programme. Students graduating from this programme are encouraged to enroll into other advanced courses for professional enhancement.

Programme structure:

Medium of instruction

HKSL, written English, written Chinese and any appropriate spoken languages where the interpreting practice applies to

Programme learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this programme, students are expected to:

1. develop a high level of proficiency in the sign language of the local Deaf community; and
2. operate as professional interpreters between a sign language and a spoken language in a range of community and specific academic settings; and
3. utilize linguistic, cultural and technical skills to mediate between a spoken and a sign language; and
4. understand and apply the ethical tenets of the interpreting profession; and
5. develop an orientation to practice that acknowledges cultural and political impacts of sign interpreting on deaf individuals and communities.

Entry requirement:

Applicants should fulfill any one of the following:

• level 2 in five subjects in Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination including Chinese Language and English Language (no more than two Applied Learning subjects can be used in the application*); or equivalent; or
• pass in one A Level or two AS Level subjects, plus five passes in HKCEE including Level 2/Grade E in Chinese Language and English Language; or equivalent; or
• Satisfactory completion of the Yi Jin Diploma Programme; or
• Satisfactory completion of a Pre-Associate Degree Programme, or equivalent; and

* "Attained" and "Attained with Distinctio" Level in Applied Learning subjects will be considered as equivalent to Level 2 and Level 3 in HKDSE subjects respectively.

applicants should demonstrate language proficiency in Hong Kong Sign Language at the intermediate level; or equivalent to A2 level of Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR); and mature applicants at the age of 21 or above who do not meet the above minimum admission requirement but possess a demonstrated ability (e.g. good presentation skills and communication ability in Hong Kong Sign Language, Chinese and English) to pursue the programme are eligible to apply for admission.

Applicants are required to attend a Hong Kong Sign Language proficiency test, a written test in Chinese and English and a face-to-face interview. Admissions will be subject to the decision of the selection committee.