[Japanese Training Program for Sign Language Volunteers and Sign Language Interpreters][Japanese Training Program for Sign Language Volunteers]・Beginner Course
・Basic Course
Target: Those who have never learned sign language
Training Objectives:
To understand hearing disability, life of the Deaf and related welfare systems, and to learn sign language vocabulary and communication
skills required for daily conversations.

Training Program for Sign Language Volunteers
Beginner Course Curriculum
Total 35 hours
Overall Goal
1. Students will be able to understand easy sign language and have a simple conversation in sign language, such as greetings and selfintroduction.
The aim of the training (objectives)
1. To learn sign language vocabulary required for daily conversations. Target vocabulary: 300 basic words.
2. To learn easy sign language communication skills required for daily conversations.
3. To have pleasure of communication in sign language.

©一般社団法人全国手話通訳問題研究会国際部

Lecture
Practical Training

Subject
Basic knowledge ofhearing disability: 2 hours

Purpose (objectives)
Learn the structure of ear and causes ofhearing disability: understand communication
methods of the hearing disabled

Basic knowledge of signlanguage: 1 hour

Learn history and characteristics of Japanesesign language

1.
2.
3.

Life of the Deaf: 2 hours

Analyze and learn problems that the Deaf
face in daily life and how to correspond to theproblems

Practical training for
expression of sign
language: 3 hours

1. Learn basic expressive skills required forsign language
2. Motivated to communicate with the Deaf
1. Learn simple sentences in sign language
2. Learn sign language vocabulary

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1.
2.

Sign language
expressions (1): 11 hours

Sign language
expressions (2) (basicdialogue): 7 hours
Sign language
expressions (3)1. Learn elementary skills for dialogues
such as interrogative sentences
2. Learn sign language vocabulary
1. Make use of vocabulary and sentences tohold conversations

1.
2.
3.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
1.
2.
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2.

Content
Physiology of hearing
Process of language acquisition and development
Disability approval under the Act on Welfare of
Physically Disabled Persons
Differences between gesture and sign language
History of sign language in Japan
Regional and social variation of Japanese sign
language
Communication with family members
Communication with local community
Problems in child-raisingProblems in workplaces
Problems in hospitals
Imitate shapes and movements
Use gestures to tell messages (facial expression,strength)
Greetings and self-introduction (name)
FamilyHobbiesNumbers (age, date of birth)
Occupation
Address
Place (location, direction)
Finger spelling
Review (self-introduction)
Time-related vocabulary, such as year, month day,hour, etc.
Interrogative expressions
Conversation practice for family communication
Conversation practice in medical care settings

Instructor
Otolaryngologist
Teacher of schoolfor the Deaf
Qualified lecturer
Certified signlanguage interpreter
Deaf

Qualified lecturer
Deaf
Qualified lecturer
Deaf

Deaf
Qualified lecturer
Deaf
Qualified lecturer©一般社団法人全国手話通訳問題研究会国際部

Subject(conversation): 6 hours

Purpose (objectives)
Content
2. Analyze problems that the Deaf face in
3. Conversation practice in educational settings
daily life and learn related vocabulary
Review: 3 hours
1. Improve communicative competence with 1. Playlet in sign language in a group of students andlearned vocabulary and sentences
the Deaf
2. Learn communication skills through
2. Free discussion in sign language with the Deaf
conversation with the Deaf
Remark: Sign language interpreters are required, when the Deaf are supposed to give a lecture.

Instructor

Deaf
Qualified lecturer©一般社団法人全国手話通訳問題研究会国際部

Training Program for Sign Language Volunteers
Basic Course Curriculum
Total 45 hours
Overall Goal:
1. Students will be able to understand daily conversations in sign language with specific Deaf persons.
The aims of the training (objectives)
1. To learn sign language vocabulary required for daily conversations. Target vocabulary: learned 300 plus additional 300 words.
2. To learn sign language communication skills required for daily conversations
3. To learn basic sign language grammars
Subjects
LectureBasic knowledge ofwelfare for disabled
persons: 2 hours
Deaf movements andwelfare system for theDeaf: 2 hours

Purpose (objectives)

Contents

Understand the outline of welfare for disabled
persons, including the concept of disabilities
and principle of normalization, etc.

1.
2.
3.
4.
Understand historical background, requests of 1.
the Deaf and related welfare systems for the 2.
Deaf through study of history of Deaf
movements
3.

Volunteer activities: 1 hour Understand the concept of and preparationfor volunteer activities (sign language
volunteer activities) and inspire commitment
to sign language volunteer activities

4.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Three concepts of disabilities
Definition of disabilities
Principles of normalization and rehabilitation
Outline of welfare systems for disabled persons
Organizations and movements of the Deaf
Measures for social participation (sign language
volunteers dispatch system etc.)
Measures for facilities (Information Center for theDeaf, etc.)
Home-based measures (assistive device, etc.)
Concept of volunteer activities
Preparation for volunteer activities (sign language
volunteer activities)
Introduction of local sign language learning group
activities
System and orientation of sign language volunteers

Instructor
Welfare office staff
Deaf
Academic expert
Welfare office staff
Deaf

Qualified lecturer
Deaf
Sign language
volunteer©一般社団法人全国手話通訳問題研究会国際部

Subjects
Practical Training

Basic sign language
grammar: 22 hours

Review practice: 3 hours

Purpose (objectives)

Contents

1. Improve expressive and reading skills 1. Concrete expression skill
with sign language basic grammars
2. Replacement expression skill
2. Learn sign language vocabulary
3. Hands, face and body expression
4. Case grammar (1) positional relation between twopersons
5. Case grammar (2) positional relation among overthree persons
6. Case grammar (3) pointing
7. Case grammar (4) body turning
8. Case grammar (5) summary
9. Space (1) back/forth, right/left, up/down
10. Space (2) combination
11. Space (3) substitution
12. Simultaneous use of both hands
13. Substitute expression of fingers
14. Repetitive expression
1. Improve communication skills based on 1. Free discussion in sign language with the Deaf
learned vocabulary and basic sign 2. Statement in sign language
language grammars
2. Learn practical communication skills
through sign language conversation withthe Deaf

Instructor
Qualified lecturer
Deaf

Qualified lecturer
Deaf©一般社団法人全国手話通訳問題研究会国際部

Subjects
Applied grammar: 12hours

Purpose (objectives)

Contents

1. Improve expressive and reading skills 1. Replacement expression skill
with applied practices of basic grammars 2. Case grammar (1) position and direction, positional
2. Learn sign language vocabulary
relation between two persons
3. Case grammar (2) positional relation among overthree persons, facial expressions including directionof eyes
4. Case grammar (3) pointing, body turning
5. Space (1) back/forth, right/left, up/down, combination
6. Space (2) substitution
7. Simultaneous use of both hands
8. Substitute expression of fingers
Review practice: 3 hours
1. Improve communication skills based on 1. Sign language performances in groups of the Deaf
learned vocabulary and basic signand the students
language grammars
2. Learn practical communication skills
through sign language conversation withthe Deaf
Remark: Sign language interpreters are required, when the Deaf are supposed to give a lecture.

Instructor
Qualified lecturer
Deaf

Qualified lecturer
Deaf©一般社団法人全国手話通訳問題研究会国際部

[Japanese Training Program for Sign Language Volunteers and Sign Language Interpreters][Japanese Training Program for Sign Language Interpreters]
・Further Basic Course
・Applied Course
・Practical Course
Target: Those who are able to have daily conversation in sign language with specific Deaf persons.
Training Objectives:
To understand the outline of welfare systems for physically disabled persons and the role and duty of sign language interpreters, and tolearn sign language vocabulary and expressive skills required for interpretation.

Training Program for Sign Language Interpreters
Further Basic Course Curriculum
Total 35 hours
Overall Goal
1. Students will be able to provide Deaf clients with sign language interpretation if they are checking on their understanding.
2. Students will be able to provide Deaf clients with sign language interpretation in situations where other means of communication areavailable, such as application procedures.
The aims of the training (objectives)
1. To learn sign language vocabulary required for interpretation. Target vocabulary: learned 600 plus additional 300 words.
2. To learn sign language communication skills needed to accurately express meaning using the learned vocabulary.
3. To learn basic sign language interpretation skills using the learned vocabulary.

©一般社団法人全国手話通訳問題研究会国際部

Lecture

Subject
Preparation for sign
language interpretation: 2hours

Purpose (objectives)
Learn basic knowledge required for sign
language interpreters and understand the roleof interpreters

Introduction to welfare forthe physically disabled: 1hour

Understand the outline of the Fundamental
Law for People with Disabilities and Act on
Welfare of Physically Disabled Persons

1.
2.
1.
2.
3.

Practical Training

Introduction to social work:
2 hours

Learn interview skills through casework, group 1.
work and community work
2.

Developing basic sign
language interpretation
skills (1): 11 hours

1. Learn expressive skills required for sign
language interpretation
2. Improve ability to store messages
3. Improve ability to summarize
4. Learn sign language vocabulary

Content
Basic knowledge required for sign language
interpreters
Role of sign language interpreters
Outline of the Fundamental Law for People withDisabilities
Outline of the Act on Welfare of Physically Disabled
Persons
Outline of the New Long-Term Program andGovernment Action Plan for Persons with Disabilities
Theories of casework
Casework workshop

1. Shadowing training using videos and recorded tapes
2. Shadowing training imitating sign language of a deaf
person3. Summarizing training using videos and recordedtapes
 Summarize spoken Japanese Summarize sign language using the same words Summarize spoken Japanese in sign language Summarize sign language using paraphrased words Summarize sign language in spoken JapaneseInstructor
Certified sign
language interpreter
Welfare office staff

University teachers
Certified socialworker
Qualified lecturer
Deaf©一般社団法人全国手話通訳問題研究会国際部

Subject
Basic sign language
interpretation skills: 9hours

Purpose (objectives)
1. Learn basic skills required for sign
language interpretation
2. Learn sign language vocabulary

1.
2.
3.
4.

Sign language
interpretation skills invarious settings (1): 10hours

Learn compliance rules and considerations
for interpreting settings
Learn how to deal with individual interpreting
settings
Learn sign language vocabulary

1.

2.

3.

4.


5.


ContentInstructor
Learn consecutive interpretation skills from spoken
Qualified lecturer
Japanese into sign language: summary and wholeDeaf
expressions
Learn consecutive interpretation skills from signlanguage into spoken Japanese: summary and wholeexpressions
Learn simultaneous interpretation skills from spoken
Japanese into sign language: expressions conform tospoken language and to sign language grammar
Learn simultaneous interpretation skills from sign
language into spoken Japanese: expressions conformto spoken language and to sign language grammar
Application procedures
Qualified lecturer
Conformation of messages
Deaf
Phone calls
Provision of information about the situation of theother end
Speeches
How to interpret for unspecified deaf persons
Interviews
Interpretation skills to make the Deaf easy to talkExpressive skills to convey messages of both sides
accurately
Provision of information about the situation to theother end
Meetings
Interpretation skills to allow the Deaf to have their say
Provision of information about the situation

Remarks:
1. Shadowing training is a practice to copy expressions nearly simultaneously.
2. Summarizing training is a practice to summarize messages.
3. Sign language interpreters are required, when the Deaf are supposed to give a lecture.
©一般社団法人全国手話通訳問題研究会国際部

Training Program for Sign Language Interpreters
Applied Course Curriculum
Total 35 hours
Overall Goal
1. Students will be able to provide Deaf clients with basic sign language interpretation in daily situations though they may need to makesure if they understand when difficult.
The aims of the training (objectives)
1. To acquire sign language vocabulary required for interpretation. Target vocabulary: learned 900 plus additional 300 words.
2. To acquire applied sign language communication skills needed to accurately express meaning using the learned vocabulary.
3. To acquire applied sign language interpretation skills using the learned vocabulary.
LectureSubject
Ethics of sign language
interpretation and its work(1): 2 hours

Purpose (objectives)
Understand how messages arecommunicated in sign language interpretationand sign language interpreters’ duty

Structure of language: 2hoursUnderstand characteristics of Japanese
language and Japanese sign language

Health care for sign
language interpreters

Understand correctly what effect sign
language interpretation may have physicallyand mentally and learn the conditions forhealthful sign language interpretation

1.
2.

1.
2.
1.
2.

Content
How messages are communicated in sign language
interpretation
Sign language interpreters’ duty
1) Communication
2) Information provision3) Support for independence
Characteristics of Japanese language
Characteristics of Japanese sign language
Mechanism of sign language interpretation
How to keep good health

Instructor
Certified signlanguage interpreter

University teachers
Medical specialist
Certified sign
language interpreter©一般社団法人全国手話通訳問題研究会国際部

Practical Training

Subject
Developing basic sign
language interpretation
skills (2): 11 hours

Applied sign language
interpretation skills: 9hours

Sign language
interpretation skills invarious settings: 10 hours

Purpose (objectives)
Content
1. Acquire expressive skills required for sign 1. Decalàge training using videos and recorded tapes
language interpretation
2. Decalàge training imitating sign language of a deaf
2. Improve ability to store messages
person3. Improve ability to summarize
3. Summarizing training using videos and recordedtapes (intralingual training)
4. Learn sign language vocabulary
 Summarize spoken Japanese Summarize sign language using the same words Summarize spoken Japanese in sign language Summarize sign language using paraphrased words Summarize sign language in spoken Japanese
1. Improve abilities to apply basic skills
1. Acquire consecutive interpretation skills from spoken
required for sign language interpretation
Japanese into sign language: summary and wholeexpressions
2. Acquire sign language vocabulary
2. Acquire consecutive interpretation skills from sign
language into spoken Japanese: summary and wholeexpressions
3. Acquire simultaneous interpretation skills from spoken
Japanese into sign language: expressions conform tospoken language and to sign language grammar
4. Acquire simultaneous interpretation skills from sign
language into spoken Japanese: expressions conformto spoken language and to sign language grammar
Acquire compliance rules and considerations 1. Lectures
for interpreting settings
 Case studies
Acquire how to deal with individual
2. Meetingsinterpreting settings
 Case studies
Acquire sign language vocabulary3. Interviews
 Case studies

Instructor
Qualified lecturer
Deaf

Qualified lecturer
Deaf

Qualified lecturer
Deaf

Remarks:
1. Shadowing training is a practice to copy expressions nearly simultaneously.
2. Summarizing training is a practice to summarize messages.
3. Sign language interpreters are required, when the Deaf are supposed to give a lecture.
©一般社団法人全国手話通訳問題研究会国際部

Training Program for Sign Language Interpreters
Practical Course Curriculum
Total 20 hours
Overall Goal
1. Students will be able to provide deaf clients with sign language interpretation according to their understanding.
The aims of training (objectives)
1. To master sign language vocabulary required for interpretation. Target vocabulary: learned 1,200 plus additional 300 words.
2. To master practical sign language communication skills needed to accurately express meaning using the learned vocabulary.
3. To master practical basic sign language interpretation skills using the learned vocabulary.
LectureSubject
Ethics of sign language
interpretation and its work(2): 1 hour

Purpose (objectives)
Understand ethics of sign language
interpreters and responsibilities in specificinterpreting settings

1.
2.

Outline of registration
system for sign language
interpreters: 1 hour

Understand outline of registration system forsign language interpreters, and be motivatedto pass the exams and join activities after theregistration

1.
2.
3.
4.

Practical Training

Practical training in sign
language interpretation:
18 hours

Experience actual sign language
interpretation through practical trainings

Content
Ethics of sign language interpreters
Interpreting settings and responsibilities of sign
language interpreters (including discussions among
students on specific interpreting settings)
Registration system of sign language interpreters
Preparation for sign language interpreters’ activities
Actual situations of sign language interpreters’
activities
Orientation for newly registered sign language
interpreters

1. Trial interpretation
 Case studies
2. Interpretation practice1) Application procedures
2) Interviews

Instructor
Certified sign
language interpreter

Administrativeofficer (in charge ofsign language
interpreter trainingcourses)
Board member oforganization of theDeaf
Qualified lecturer
Deaf

Remark: Sign language interpreters are required, when the Deaf are supposed to give a lecture.
©一般社団法人全国手話通訳問題研究会国際部