Ontario government signs off on new sign language courses

DAN CEARNS, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, for The Standard

DURHAM/KAWARTHA: The Ontario government is adding American Sign Language (ASL) to the list of second-language courses offered to high school students.

The announcement was made by Ontario education minister Stephen Lecce, on Thursday, March 11th.

“This September, Ontario will become one of the first jurisdictions in Canada to offer high school students second-language courses in American Sign Language and Langue des signes quebecoise (LSQ),” Minister Lecce said.

The education minister talked about how important it was for the government to create these new programs.

“These new courses will position Ontario as a leader in providing [a] second-language curriculum for the development of language and cultural skills in ASL and in LSQ.”

In a statement, Minister of Seniors and Accessibility, Raymond Cho, expressed his support for this initiative.

“By giving high school students the opportunity to learn ASL and/or LSQ, we are increasing language and cultural skills.”

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