Equal Dreams aims to provide progressive SgSL courses suitable for beginners that build up towards advanced levels of SgSL proficiency. At Level 1, no prior experience is required — just an open-mind ready to learn, and hands warmed up for signing!
Learning Platform
Google Classroom will be the central hub for your learning journey where you will be able to access course materials, assignments, discussions, and additional resources.
A Telegram group chat will be used for ease of communication between participants, instructors, and administrators. Announcements and other ad-hoc communications will be communicated through this channel.
Contact Time
20 hours (10 lessons x 2 hours)
Estimated Preparation Time
2 hours per week
- Readings before each class
- Video assignment (participants will be working in pairs)
- Self-Reflection
Assessment
After the completion of 10 lessons, there will be an assessment to evaluate your understanding of Deaf Culture and usage of the SgSL component, including grammar and syntax.
Certificates will be awarded to participants who successfully pass the assessment and meet the attendance criteria of 80%.
Learning Outcomes
Through direct and complete immersion in a no-voice, SgSL-only environment, students will learn to:
- Exhibit receptive and expressive skills in fingerspelling and SgSL signs
- Exhibit an understanding of basic linguistic rules in SgSL, and its parameters
- Understand and apply the concept of visual-gestural communication when using SgSL
- Develop an appreciation for Deaf culture and the diverse Deaf Community
- Carry out basic conversations in SgSL about everyday life through the use of simple sentence structures
Equal Dreams’ SgSL curriculum is led and designed by our SgSL specialist, Andrew Tay, and co-curriculum developer, Yew Hau En. This is also done in consultation and collaboration with Deaf leaders and hearing interpreters.
Target Audience
- Those with zero to little experience in SgSL or those wanting a refresher course
- Open to hearing, deaf, hard of hearing
Accessibility
Please let us know if you have any access requirements in the registration form, and we will do our best to work with you to provide them.
Registration
Instructor’s Profile
Andrew is a Deaf Interpreter and an SgSL Specialist with Equal Dreams. He has more than 10 years of experience teaching sign language. Andrew coined the term SgSL (Singapore Sign Language) in 2008, which defines the core of cultural Deaf identity and communication in the Singapore Deaf community, thus creating understanding and meanings of the language from the perspective of the Deaf.
He is the founder of SgSL Now! Facebook group and Telegram channel that aim to bring SgSL users to a singular platform, where all indulge and share in their love for SgSL and Deaf culture. He now manages these channels with a team of like-minded advocates to promote SgSL. He also shares his life experiences as a Deaf individual and offers insights into Deaf culture through his public Instagram and TikTok accounts.
Work aside, he is a private-hire driver by day. His days are particularly brightened by passengers who try signing to him at his day job as a private-hire driver. He loves spending his downtime on picnics with his family and hours-long conversations with his best friend (wife) and friends.
Have a question about our course?
Head to the Frequently Asked Questions page for our programmesContact
For further enquiries, please contact us at sgsl@equaldreams.sg
