Professional Interpreter

This course will enable you to develop the skills necessary to use your knowledge of languages to help other people communicate. You'll start by gaining a clear understanding of what interpreting is; the different interpreting techniques, settings, and delivery modes; and the differences between a career in public services interpreting and other language-related fields. You will also receive a thorough grounding in the principles of ethics and professional conduct as they apply to the interpreting field. In addition, you'll learn how to control the communication flow of an interpreting encounter to ensure that all parties are recognized and heard during the meeting.

With this solid foundation, the course prepares you for the real world by providing you with practical information to help you gain employment confidently as a public services interpreter. You will also have the option to be listed for free in an employer-searchable directory to jump-start your new career. Once you complete the course, you'll be prepared to embark upon an exciting and rewarding career. As a professional interpreter, you'll often work with immigrants in vulnerable situations, becoming their only communication bridge. You can expect to assist families as they apply for food stamps and Medicaid, help residents set up utility services in a new home, and assist refugees as they complete their applications. You'll find your assignments vary from day to day—sometimes even from hour to hour—and opportunities abound!

What you will learn

• Become an effective communicator
• Master listening skills
• Learn how to transfer information in multicultural situations
• Develop interpreting-specific skills such as short-term memory retention, shadowing, note-taking, sight-translation, consecutive interpreting, and more

How you will benefit

• Make a difference in the lives of people in need of communication/translation services
• Spend time in rewarding multicultural situations
• Gain the confidence and skills needed to kick off your career as a public services interpreter

1. Home (Introduction)
2. Learning Styles Assessment Exercise
3. Module 1: Basic Concepts of Language Interpreting
   1. Basic Concepts: What is language interpreting? What is language translation?
   2. Contrasting the interpretation and translation tasks
   3. Translation and adaptation: Localization and transcreation
   4. What does it take to become a professional interpreter?
   5. Certificate vs. Certification vs. Professional Licensure
   6. Where do interpreters work?
   7. Message delivery: The techniques
   8. Consecutive interpreting video demonstration
   9. Sight translation video demonstration
   10. Review Questions
   11. On-Site interpreting
   12. Remote and Telephonic Interpretation
   13. Telephonic interpreting, continued
   14. Video remote interpreting and video relay interpreting
   15. Sight translation
   16. Vocabulary Game
   17. Review Questions
   18. The Evolution of Interpreting in the Community
   19. The Evolution of Interpreting in the Community: Steps Toward Professional Recognition
   20. The Evolution of Interpreting in the Community: Professional Associations
   21. Public Services Interpreting Drivers
   22. Standards Guiding the Interpreting Profession
   23. Associations: Why are they important?
   24. Module 1 Self-assessment
   25. Resources
   26. Module Feedback
4. Module 2: Interpreting Skills and Techniques
   1. Preparing yourself for this module
   2. Active listening
   3. Active listening: Suspending yourself
   4. Emotions and Culture
   5. Level of Interest and Objectivity
   6. Capacity to Concentrate
   7. Who you are influences greatly the way you listen and communicate
   8. Listening Exercises: Introduction
   9. Shadowing: Introduction
   10. Short-Term Memory Retention: Visual
   11. Short-Term Memory Retention: Auditory
   12. Note-Taking
   13. Sight Translation: Introduction
   14. Putting It All Together: Interpreting
   15. Module Vocabulary Game
   16. Module 2 Self-Assessment
   17. Resources
   18. Module Feedback
5. Module 3: Ethics and standards: Expected professional behavior
   1. What are Professional Standards?
   2. The Interpreter's Professional Profile
   3. Accuracy
   4. Acting Ethically and Honestly
   5. Confidentiality
   6. Competence
   7. Neutrality
   8. Reliability
   9. Respect for the Profession
   10. Role Preservation
   11. Scenarios and Exercises
   12. Resources
   13. Module 3 Self-Assessment
   14. Module Feedback
6. Module 4: The Business of Interpreting
   1. Basic public services interpreting market concepts
   2. The Supply
   3. The Demand
   4. Working as a freelance interpreter
   5. Interview video
   6. Working as a Full-time Interpreter
   7. Interview video
   8. Building a Resume
   9. Formatting a resume
   10. Resume Sample
   11. Writing a Cover Letter
   12. Joining professional associations
   13. Joining online professional directories
   14. Continued Education
   15. Resources
   16. Module Feedback

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.
• Headphones or speakers.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 8 or later.
• Mac: macOS 12 or later.
• Linux may also be used.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Office or LibreOffice (not included in enrollment).
• Adobe Acrobat Reader .
• Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Prerequisites:

Must have a high school education (or equivalent) and be bilingual.

Please note: As part of the program, you will take a spoken language fluency assessment in your 'A' (native) and 'B' (second) languages. Certified testers will have a phone-based conversation with you in your languages, designed to assess your level of fluency on a 1-5 scale. You must achieve at least a level 3 in both languages to pass the course and qualify as an interpreter, requiring full verbal fluency in both. You will have up to three attempts to achieve a level 3 in both languages. Failure to do so will result in not meeting the course requirements, and an incomplete will be issued.

Rocío Txabarriaga

Rocío Txabarriaga, MA is vice president of Content Development and co-founder of the Virginia Institute of Interpreting. She is responsible for course planning, development, validation, and maintenance. Ms. Txabarriaga has over 20 years of experience in language services and international business management ranging from independent consulting to senior executive positions, and business ownership. Her extensive experience spans operations, ISO-quality processes, interpreter recruiting and training, qualitative and quantitative research and analysis, as well as in-depth involvement with several language technology platforms. Ms. Txabarriaga has several degrees, including a master's degree from Monterey Institute of International Studies, has earned many certificates, and speaks five languages fluently. Ms. Txabarriaga is also a NASBITE-Certified Global Business Professional and an accomplished writer and public speaker.

Does this course prepare you for a certification?

You will not be certified, but you will have a Certificate of Completion. This means that you can begin working as a professional interpreter, but you cannot say that you are certified. You can say that you are a "trained" interpreter. (The situation is similar to someone who has a degree in accounting: The person could work as a bookkeeper, but is not an accountant until passing the CPA exam.) This course gives you the foundation for future specialized coursework in medical and judicial interpreting (certification exams exist in these disciplines in some countries). The difference is, this course will enable you to become a general interpreter just as soon as you complete it.

Is there a language test?

Yes. As part of the program, you will take a spoken language fluency assessment in your 'A' (native) and 'B' (second) languages. Certified testers will have a phone-based conversation with you in your languages, designed to assess your level of fluency on a 1-5 scale. You must achieve at least a level 3 in both languages to pass the course and qualify as an interpreter, requiring full verbal fluency in both. You will have up to three attempts to achieve a level 3 in both languages. Failure to do so will result in not meeting the course requirements, and an incomplete will be issued.

When can I start the course?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

How long does it take to complete this course?

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive six (6) months to complete the course.

What if I don't have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

What kind of support will I receive?

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

What happens when I complete the course?

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

Am I guaranteed a job?

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

Can I get financial assistance?

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

How can I get more information about this course?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available by phone. You can also call us at 1-855-532-7642 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.

What are the language combinations?

English plus any other language.

How much can I earn when I finish the course?

Immediately after you finish the course, you can begin accepting interpreting assignments. The average hourly rate for new interpreters is $20 per hour. Simply follow the instructions in the career module of the Professional Interpreter course and you will be on your way to accepting interpreting assignments right away.

Is there a language test?

Yes. As part of your course, you will be required to take a spoken language fluency assessment in both your "A" Language (native language) and your "B" Language (second language). These tests are included in your tuition cost and are conducted over the phone. Certified testers will have a conversation with you in your languages, designed to assess your level of fluency on a 1-5 scale. You must have a fluency level of at least 3 in that scale in both languages to pass. If you do not obtain a level 3 fluency qualification in both languages, you will not pass the course. In order to be an interpreter, you must have full verbal fluency in two (or more) languages. The final fluency assessment is offered in 88 languages. If your language is not offered, this program is still recommended as you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to be a functioning interpreter.