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The _ courses _ run throughout the fall, winter and spring semesters, and ASL 101 â€" the most popular one in the sevenâ€"course series â€" is generally offered during each of these semesâ€" ters at every Conestoga Colâ€" lege location. "It‘s catching on in the community," said Hughes, adding sign language is now prevalent in the media, teleâ€" vision and movies. Students sometimes question why the teachers are deaf, but Brunsdon, who works as a community liaiâ€" son at the society, said it‘s easier to learn a language from someone who grew up speaking it. "We have a deaf instrucâ€" tor because it gives the stuâ€" dents a real flavour of what it‘s like to interact with a deaf person and to be involved in that communiâ€" The school supplies the classrooms and does the registration, and the society provides the curriculum and the instructors â€" all of whom are deaf. The Canadian Hearing Society partnered with the college about 10 years ago in a move the society‘s proâ€" gram assistant, Wendy Hughes, calls "wonderful." Learning about deaf culâ€" ture and what it‘s like to be a member of that community are only a small part of what students enrolled in Conâ€" estoga College‘s American Sign Language (ASL) continâ€" uing education courses are taught. eat people can do Dt'\ erything hearing people can dp. "We just can‘t hear. That‘s the only difference," signed Gail Brunsdon, who has been deaf since she caught the German measles around the age of three, through an interpreter. Popular signâ€"language course proves challenging for participants ASL only became an offi By Jrnnirer Ormston ““ *« Carpet * Berbers + Laminate +« Ceramic * Hardwood 50 Victoria Street N., Kltch.ener o .519-570.-2722 | Canada‘s largest retail flooring chain! "So we have excellent turnout for the level one." From there, students who decide to pursue the language and earn an ASL basic skills certificate can complete the program in 2 1/2 to three years. Social dynamics of deaf culture is one of the proâ€" "People are seeing how beneficial it is, and the world is really caring about communication barriers. People are embracing the whole idea," she said. cial language for instruction about 12 years ago, Hughes said, and over that time it has become more recogâ€" nized and accepted. Canadian Hearing Society employees Gail Brunsdon and Kathleen O‘Neil both say American Sign Language is a complex language to learn. The society, located on Ottawa Street North, holding ASL classes at Conestoga College. "Just like any language, taking _one class isn‘t enough." â€"Kathleen O‘Neil LIFESTYLE "The definition of a culâ€" ture is that it has its own language, just as we do with ASL. You might talk about clothing and food and tradiâ€" tion, rules of behaviour and values â€" that‘s what makes a culture, and deaf culture has that." "Just like any language, taking one class isn‘t enough. So first you learn your basics and then you Every culture has distinct ways of doing things, she signed. _ For instance, French peoâ€" ple often kiss on both cheeks when they meet. Deaf people hug when they say hello or goodbye. _ ing "If they‘re (students) at the level of commitment where they really want to learn sign language and be involved with the deaf comâ€" munity, it is essential they know about deaf culture," Hughes said. Brunsdon couldn‘t agree more. gram‘s mandatory courses Learning ASL is challengâ€" of Runners . . . Not Just End Rolls The Area‘s LARGEST Selection For starters, ASL‘s senâ€" tence structure, grammar and syntax are unlike Engâ€" "For example, in English you would say, ‘What is your name?" When a deaf person is signing that, the signs that would come out would be, ‘Your name what?‘ so the questioning word goes at the end of the sentence instead of the beginning," Brunsdon signed. As well, English senâ€" tences generally begin with After taking a few coursâ€" es, students know the basics and can converse comfortâ€" ably, but they‘re not ready to become an interpreter, she signed. Even students who earn the certificate are not considered fluent in ASL There are many reasons why ASL is so difficult to expand on it, adding more and more to it," signed Kathleen O‘Neil, who has been teaching sign language for 25 years. Continued on page 14 JEMMIFER ORMSTON PHOTO IS Warehouse associates are also in demand to perâ€" form several tasks â€" customer service, preparing food orders and other general warehouse duties â€" or volâ€" unteers can help with sorting and distribution of corâ€" porate food donations. Drivers must have driving experience, be 21 or older with a G license and have a clean abstract. A DZ license is an asset. _ For more information, call (519)743â€"5576, ext 226, email roset@thefoodbank.ca. The Thanksgiving Day performance will begin at 2:30 p.m. Freeâ€"will donations would be appreciated. The Thanksgiving food drive is here. The Food Bank of Waterloo Region needs drivers and driver assistants between September and Decem:â€" ber to help with scheduled food pickâ€"ups. The choir of the Hungarian Reformed seminary in Romania will perform Oct. 9 at Knox Presbyterian Church in Waterloo. The concert will include Hungarian folk music by Bartok, Kodaly and Bardos, as well as a choral reperâ€" toire that includes songs of faith, classical and spirituâ€" Rick Smith, executive director of Environmental Health Environmental Defence in Toronto, will speak on which toxic chemicals have been found in Canadiâ€" an bodies; how toxic chemicals affect human health and the environment; how families can reduce their exposure to toxic chemicals; and what can be done to better protect Canadians‘ health. The talk will run from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the Kaufâ€" man building auditorium. Admission is free, and registration is not required. For more information, call 519â€"749â€"4300, ext. 2252 An event called Toxic Nation: It‘s in you! will take place Oct. 4 at Grand River Hospital. Waterloo North Presbyterian Church will host the Southwest Ontario Seniors Salvation Army Band this Sunday. Romanian choir to visit for Thanksgiving concert The band is from London, Ont. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. A freeâ€"will offering would be appreciated Evervone is welcome. Speaker gives the scoop on dangerous toxins Salvation Army band in concert this Sunday Volunteers needed for fall food drive lb{