• Interpreter Certification
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Community Interpreter Certification

This online training course is designed for current and would-be community interpreters who wish to further their knowledge or gain new knowledge of interpreting protocols. The course is based on 45 hours of study and includes study materials, case studies, and quizzes.

What the Course Includes

• Unit One: Introduction to Community Interpreting
• Unit Two: The Community Interpreter's Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
• Unit Three: The Roles, Boundaries and Essential Practices of the Community Interpreter
• Unit Four: Theory of Interpreting and Memory Development
• Unit Five: Culture Bridging Skills
• Unit Six: Communication Skills and Interpreting
• Unit Seven: Sight Translating and Note-Taking
• Unit Eight: Managing the Interpretation
• Unit Nine: Interpretation Practice

What the Course Does Not Include

Trying to learn how to interpret through an online course is a bit like trying to learn how to swim by reading a book on swimming. While this manual provides learners with techniques and practice suggestions for interpreting - as well as two audio dialogues in 13 languages¹ for practice - it cannot provide hands-on training in interpreting. It is up to learners to build their interpreting skills by using the methods suggested herein.

This course is not interactive. While it contains quizzes and written exercises with accompanying answer keys, written work but be done with paper and pencil and will not be graded by CISOC. It is the learner's responsibility to monitor his own learning.

Applying to Take the CISOC Examination

Those who wish can request to take CISOC's computer-based examination. Test items correspond directly to the subject matter contained in the course.

Please note: All examinations must be invigilated by an independent third party that has been approved by CISOC. While tests can be taken from any location, the costs for invigilation are the responsibility of the test taker.

If you do not pass the examination, you may purchase additional exam vouchers.

The Curriculum

The objective of this workbook is to help beginner community interpreters understand the basic principles involved in community interpreting. The workbook covers the fundamentals that the community interpreter needs to be aware of in order to be a good practitioner.

This manual was developed by Cultural Interpretation Services for our Communities (CISOC). It is based on established interpreting protocols for community interpreters. The training has been delivered by CISOC since 1993 and its materials have been delivered to more than 300 community interpreters.

Each section begins with an overview of the units, a list of learning objectives, and the key terms and concepts to be covered. In addition to presenting learning content, each unit provides examples to illustrate concepts and quizzes for self-monitored learning. The practice materials in this curriculum are intended to reinforce the concepts covered in the WB through quizzes, case studies, checklists, and other explanatory and reinforcing materials.

Language Proficiency

In order to work as an interpreter, one must, of course, be fluent in two languages. It is not enough to simply take a course about interpreting protocols and pass an exam. We strongly recommend that you have your language skills tested by a reputable agency before you undertake this course of study.