Dipping Into Singapore Sign Language Interpreting (DIP)
Programme Outline
Learning Commitment
Total Contact Time: 20 hours, 6 sessions*
*Certificates will be sent out at the end of the programme to those who achieve at least 80% of attendance.
Estimated Preparation Time: 1 hour per week*
*This includes time spent on readings, assignments, or personal reflection outside of contact hours.
Delivery Format: Sessions will be conducted in person.
Venue: Blk 994 Bendemeer Road, B Central #03-04 (Room 5) Singapore 339943
Schedule
Next Intake: May/June 2026
Programme Description
Able to converse in sign language, and wondering what more you can do with this skill?
Diving into a sign language interpreting programme feels intimidating — this course is designed to plug that gap. The programme will give you a taster of what the sign language interpreting profession has to offer, and the kind of skills you’ll need to hone. Students will be guided by experienced sign language interpreters, both Deaf and hearing, through theoretical and practical class components. These include interpreting simulations and translation exercises.
Learning Outcomes
- Learn the fundamentals of interpreting strategies for both sign-to-voice, and voice-to-sign
- Appreciate the language variation present in the local Deaf community
- Unpack audism and how it impacts the role of the interpreter
- Build basic awareness of how language works through understanding prosodic cues of English and SgSL
- Acquire the use of common classifiers and apply them when interpreting
- Understand the Code of Ethics for sign language interpreters and its nuances
Target Audience
Singapore Sign Language learners who are interested in having a taste of sign language interpreting. Deaf and hearing signers both welcome.
Class Size
Limited to 12 pax
Note: There needs to be a minimum pax of 8 participants to conduct the programme. If the minimum number is not reached, you will be informed before the start of the programme to be refunded. There’s no refund of programme fees once paid, unless the programme is cancelled.
Prerequisites
- Fluent in SgSL – able to comfortably and smoothly hold regular conversations with native SgSL users
- At least one year of regular interaction and work with the Deaf community
Accessibility
Sessions will be conducted in Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) and English, and as such, there will be no sign-to-voice interpretation provided, as it is a prerequisite for participants to have strong enough receptive skills to attend classes in full SgSL.
If you have any other accessibility requirements, please do let us know in the registration form, or you can email us at training@equaldreams.sg to discuss further.
Pricing
Our Sliding Scale Pricing Model
We offer three pricing tiers: Reduced, General, and Supporter.
This model invites those with greater financial privilege to pay at the General or Supporter rates, contributing to equity and access from a place of solidarity, not charity.
Find out more about why we implement a sliding scale model.
We trust you to choose the tier that best reflects your current financial situation — no questions asked. The descriptions below may not fully reflect your circumstances; please choose the one that feels most aligned.
Please note: Discount codes or vouchers do not apply to this programme. Programme fees are non-refundable, unless the programme is cancelled.
Supporter Rate – $400
1. You have sufficient income to pay for a programme like this, and you can afford to subsidise the cost for those who have financial difficulties.
2. You’re funded by an organisation with a generous training budget.
3. You have a large amount of savings or generational wealth (e.g. inheritance, assets). This is more than enough for you, with extra to spare.
General Rate – $320
1. You have enough income to pay for a programme like this, at the general rate.
2. You’re funded by an organisation, or have a training budget that covers this rate.
3. You have a financial safety net (e.g. savings, inheritance, or people you can turn to for support in emergencies.)
Reduced Rate – $260
1. Your income limits your ability to participate in learning opportunities like this.
2. Your income supports not only yourself, but others as well
3. This rate makes it possible for you to attend, otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to.
We would like to thank and acknowledge IDHA, AORTA and Singapore Improv Festival for inspiring our approach to equitable pricing.
Trainers
Programme Lead & Instructor, SgSL & Speech-to-Text Interpreter
A love for language had Clara pursuing a B.A in Linguistics and Multilingual Studies, which coincided with her learning Singapore Sign Language, out of curiosity about minority linguistic communities. At Equal Dreams, she’s an Accessibility Specialist providing Singapore Sign Language and speech-to-text interpretation in settings like conferences, international sports events, higher education and the arts. She also crafts curriculums and teaches accessibility-related training programmes. Deeply passionate about equity in education, she believes that every individual, like a seed, is meant to grow, with time and the right environment.
Programme Coordinator & Instructor, SgSL & Speech-to-Text Interpreter
An interest in language led Hidayat to chance upon linguistics. From the start, he was fascinated by the theory that language influences how people think and experience the world. During this period, Hidayat was introduced to languages that were different from what he was used to – signed languages. Using the visual-manual modality for communication, his Deaf lecturer (Jarn May!) introduced him to the Deaf culture and Singapore Sign Language (SgSL). Years later, Hidayat found himself working with the Deaf community.
Hidayat began his work with the Deaf community conducting research to support the development of the Singapore Sign Language Signbank. Now, he continues to provide support for resource building through linguistic research while building on his skills in sign language and speech-to-text interpreting.
Programme Instructor, Deaf Interpreter
Jarn May is a prominent Deaf community leader and one of the few Deaf interpreters in Singapore. She has served as the Secretary for the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) Asia Pacific Board (2000-2001), and was an official representative for Singapore in the WFD Asia Pacific Meetings, WFD Congress and, notably, in the 4th WFD Asia Pacific Conference on “Bilingualism in Deaf Education.” She also worked with human rights advocates in ASEAN, participated in the UN 8th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and co-presented on human rights issues and Deaf issues.
Programme Instructor, Deaf Interpreter
Jessica Mak or fondly known as JC, is fluent in multiple sign languages including Malaysian Sign Language (BIM), Singapore Sign Language (SgSL), Japanese Sign Language (JSL), just to name a few. She has years of experience teaching various courses and workshops for deaf and hearing youths/adults, and communities in Malaysia, Philippines, Macau, and Singapore.
Programme Instructor, SgSL & Speech-to-Text Interpreter
Evelyn loves meeting Deaf people from different countries to expand her knowledge and experience on Deaf Culture and Sign Languages across the world. She has been interpreting actively in the Deaf community for 20 years, and has interpreted in various local and international settings. These include at United Nations events, the Deaflympics, police and court cases, arts and theatre, and academic engagements — just to name a few.
Registration
May 2025 intake is closed.
Can’t make it this round, but still interested?
Once you registered your interest, we will reach out to you if and when we have the next run of this programme!