THE Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino will start holding free public training in Metro Manila on Saturday as part of its bid to promote Philippine languages.
“During the training, participants will learn the basics of Filipino sign language [FSL],” said KWF information officer Wilbert Lamarca.
FSL is a non-verbal language or communication system already used nationwide particularly by the country’s deaf community, said KWF translator Earvin Pelagio who’s involved in the project.
He noted FSL is visual, mainly involving use of hand signals to communicate.
“By providing FSL training, we hope to help increase and enhance communication among hearing and non-hearing people,” he said.
Lamarca said KWF will conduct the half-day training on five Saturdays.
The training dates are December 10 and 17 this year as well as January 7, 14 and 21 next year, he noted.
KWF said a total 15 people voluntarily enlisted as FSL training participants.
“Most of them are teachers handling students with impaired hearing,” said Pelagio.
He said KWF will award certificates of completion to participants who pass the examination this agency will give at the training’s end.
Pelagio said KWF earlier partnered with College of St. Benilde on conducting the training.
A CSB expert will train the participants, he noted.
Among possibilities is conduct of KWF’s second basic FSL training next year, said Pelagio.
KWF may also offer advanced FSL training, he added.