This is the Ontario curriculum policy for American Sign Language as a Second Language in secondary schools. Beginning in September 2021, American Sign Language as a Second Language programs in secondary schools will be based on the expectations outlined in this curriculum policy.
Preface
The American Sign Language (ASL) as a second language curriculum introduces students to a language that has a distinct grammatical and syntactic structure not derived from any other language, either spoken or written. ASL is a complex language that can express the full breadth of human experiences, including the theories and principles that are conveyed in disciplines such as science, education, history, politics, law, culture, sports, and literature. ASL cultural identity is inextricably interwoven with ASL as a language, and ASL is distinct from other sign languages of the world (e.g., langue des signes québécoise [LSQ], Maritime Sign Language [MSL], British Sign Language [BSL], and Indigenous Sign Languages). ASL is recognized in Ontario as a language of instruction as outlined in Regulation 298, “Operation of Schools – General”, R.R.O. 1990, Section 32.
