Trainees
(arranged in alphabetical order)
ALL / Fiji / Hong Kong / Indonesia / Japan / Sri Lanka
Deaf
CHU Kwan Ngai Kenny
Mr. Chu is from Hong Kong. He joined the APSL program in 2007. He has completed five diplomas in the APSL program and is now studying for the Higher Diploma in Sign Linguistics and Sign Language Teaching.
Mr. Chu graduated from the Hong Kong School for the Deaf. In 1999, he began working as a language research project assistant for Prof. Gladys Tang at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, collaborating with her on “Hong Kong Sign Language: A Trilingual Dictionary with Linguistic Descriptions”. He joined the Centre in 2003, mainly involves in Deaf children’s HKSL acquisition research, development of HKSL textbooks and teaching HKSL. He also helps researchers with various sign linguistics research projects. During this time, he also completed the first Asia-Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training (APSL) Programme, earning two higher diplomas in (1) linguistics of Hong Kong Sign Language and (2) teaching of Hong Kong Sign Language. In 2007, he was chosen to participate in the second APSL programme from 2007-2012. During the past 12 years, he has learnt a lot about sign linguistics and he believes that sign linguistics research is important in promoting the status of sign language in society and helps the development of Deaf education. In addition, he hopes that more hearing people will learn sign language and be able to assist Deaf people who need interpretation.
LO Chun Yi Connie
Ms. Lo is from Hong Kong. She joined the APSL program in 2007. She has completed five diplomas in the APSL program and is now studying for the Higher Diploma in Sign Linguistics and Sign Language Teaching.
Ms. Lo graduated from the Hong Kong School for the Deaf. Then, she earned the Associate of Arts Degree in the discipline of New Media from the Academy of Art College in San Francisco, California. She is currently a language research project assistant and a student of the Asia-Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training Programme. She has learned a lot on sign linguistics research and Deaf education in the programme. Her research interests include sign language morphology, syntax, Deaf history, Deaf education, and sign language and society. In the future, she hopes to give a hand in developing the Deaf community in the areas of Deaf education, Deaf services and rights. She would also like to work towards a greater recognition of Hong Kong Sign Language in the society.
LO Sui Wah Lisa
Ms. Lo is from Hong Kong. She joined the APSL program in 2007. She has completed five diplomas in the APSL program and is now studying for the Higher Diploma in Sign Linguistics and Sign Language Teaching.
Ms. Lo graduated from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 3D Animation Visual Effects in 2004. She had one-year teaching experience at the Lutheran School for the Deaf. She currently works as a language research project assistant for the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sign Bilingualism and Co-enrolment in Deaf Education Programme. She previously taught at the partner Kindergarten and is now teaching at the partner Primary School. She is also a student of the Asia-Pacific Sign Linguistics Research and Training Programme. She earned a diploma in 2009 and is now studying sign linguistics research, sign language teaching methods, Deaf Education, Deaf culture and awareness, Deaf history, etc., for the higher diploma programme.
WONG Yiu Leung Aaron
Mr. Wong is from Hong Kong. He joined the APSL program in 2010. He has recently completed two diplomas in the APSL program and is now studying for three more diplomas.
Mr. Aaron Wong grew up in a Deaf family and is a native signer. He graduated from the Hong Kong School for the Deaf, which did not support the use of sign language. Mr. Wong believes that this made it difficult for him to learn and made him unable to go on beyond high school. In 2010, he enrolled in the APSL program, where he enjoys learning about phonology, morphology, syntax, English, Deaf history and culture, etc. He feels that, because all the teachers in the APSL program use Hong Kong Sign Language to teach, he is able to learn a lot and gain more from his studies. In addition to studying in the APSL program, he is working part time at the Centre for Sign Linguistics and Deaf Studies doing educational video recordings in Hong Kong Sign Language for Deaf school children. In the future, Mr. Wong hopes to become a teacher and teach deaf students, although opportunities to do this are still limited in Hong Kong. In addition, he would like to do more work with his Deaf rights group, Deaf Power, and share with all deaf people what he has learned at the Centre for Sign Linguistics and Deaf Studies.
YU Wai Lam Brenda
Ms. Yu is from Hong Kong. She joined the APSL program in 2010. She has recently completed two diplomas in the APSL program and is now studying for three more diplomas.
Ms. Yu graduated from the Pooi To Middle School and she received a foundation diploma at the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education. She joined the Centre in 2003 and is currently working as a language research project assistant in the Acquisition Team. She has training in Hong Kong Sign Language Linguistics and teaching for years. Her major job duties include transcribing and analyzing Deaf children’s sign language data and teaching HKSL. She has been able to learn many new things and absorb copious amounts of knowledge by working at the Centre. In the future, she will continue her hard work in the hopes that sign language research and education will have a bright future.