INSIDE DOUGLAS COLLEGE / NOVEMBER 27, 1990

 

 

Comprehensive Review (continued from page 11)

start-up difficulties. The program
was implemented over a short
period of time without
employment of full-time faculty.
The first classes were in session
before the complete set of program
objectives had been developed.
Within four months, questions
were raised concerning program
standards, objectives, credentials
for completion, length of the
program, integration of work
experience and academic training,
staffing and faculty workload.
Given the shortage of planning
time and resources the program
has made remarkable progress to
this date; at the same time, many
improvements are needed.

The primary objectives of the
VLIT program are to train visual
language interpreters who, using
American Sign Language (ASL)
and English, will be able to:

a. Professionally interpret in a
variety of settings

b. Interact with members of the
Deaf Community

c. Work in social service or
educational agencies, or as
freelance interpreters.

The VLIT program is taught
by faculty members who are on
term contracts. Some faculty mem-
bers are Deaf and others are hear-
ing people. Deaf faculty are
experts in ASL and Deaf Culture;
hearing faculty are all experienced
interpreters.

COMMITTEE COMMENTS

AND RECOMMENDATIONS

A. ADMISSIONS AND
PRE-REQUISITES

1. VLIT should increase the level
of ASL required as pre-requisite
for entry to the program.

2. VLIT should improve
communications with
Admissions staff in the
Registrar’s Office.

3. VLIT should include at least two
Deaf people on any panel

which screens applicants to the
program.

4. VLIT should use a broader
range of assessments when
screening applicants for the
program.

5. VLIT should design and
implement a marketing strategy
in conjunction with the college
Public Information Office.

6. Following the 1990 intake, VLIT
should explore the possibilities
and relevant issues of
establishing an annual intake of
no more than 16 students.

B. PURPOSES AND SCOPE
OF PROGRAM

1. VLIT should maintain its
program length at four
semesters.

2. The focus of VLIT should be
Interpreting and should assume
that entry-level students have
acceptable fluency in ASL.

C. FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

1. VLIT requires one dedicated
classroom and one dedicated
laboratory room.

2. VLIT requires additional
equipment for video taped
activities.

3. VLIT requires a library of video
tapes related to interpreter
skills.

4, VLIT should produce video
tapes of local Deaf people
signing.

D. STAFFING

1. Two full-time faculty should be
appointed to VLIT on an
ongoing basis: one hearing
interpreter and one Deaf person
who uses ASL.

2. One full-time lab technician
should be employed by the
program.

3. The VLIT Coordinator should
be assigned half-time
administrative duties for the
next two teaching semesters.

4. Improved access for in-service
and professional development

activities should be made
available for VLIT faculty.

E. CURRICULUM

1. Improved coordination among
faculty is needed to reduce
instructional duplication in use
of assignments.

2. Faculty should ensure that
student workloads are
reasonable.

3. VLIT faculty should continue
their process of ongoing
curriculum revision.

F. PRACTICUM

1. Practicum sites should be
selected on the basis of clearly
stated criteria.

2. The length of all practicums
should be shortened.

3. Improvements are needed in the
procedures for VLIT
practicums.

4. Additional training components
are required for VLIT students,
faculty and site supervisors as
preparation for each practicum.

G. PROGRAM SUPPORT AND
EXTERNAL LIAISON

1. VLIT should increase its level of
cooperation and articulation
with the Vancouver
Community College Interpreter
Development Program.

2. VLIT should continue its liaison
efforts with U.B.C.

3. VLIT should increase its level of
contact with other Interpreter
Training programs across
Canada and North America.

4. VLIT should maintain and
increase its efforts to assist
faculty and staff throughout the
college to understand and
support the VLIT program and
the needs of Deaf faculty and
students.

5. A program advisory committee
should be established.

6. VLIT should maintain and
strengthen its ties with Douglas

College Community Programs
and Services Division. &

 

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