Programs Tailored to Your Needs
Training Series
We offer five distinct programs of interpreting study, each built around its own introductory lecture course which is an overview of that specialty — methods, procedures, vocabulary, ethics, legalities and cultural issues. The introductory courses are conducted almost entirely in English and in a lecture format with appropriate class notes and a reading list. There is sometimes a little actual homework to do and each introductory course may conclude with a short written exam.
Then follows a series of workshops to build your interpreting skills. Each tutorial has its own collection of oral practice exercises which focus on building the skills and knowledge covered by the lectures and previous tutorial sessions.
Then comes the final examination and ultimately a certificate. Think of our exams like music students’ recitals – a demonstration of how you perform your newly-acquired skills.
In general, each program in the series 200 to 400 builds on the earlier programs so that when you reach the Court Interpreting examinations you will have taken essentially all thirty-one courses and nine exams in that we offer.
If you have taken equivalent courses elsewhere we are happy to review your work to date and give equivalent or partial credit for our course. We do not give course credit based solely on interpreting experience. At the very least you will need to take the introductory lecture and pass the exam.
Learn how to facilitate communication between community service providers and people for whom English is not their primary language.
We no longer offer a Medical Interpreting Certificate in British Columbia.
However, we now offer a “Health Care Enhancement” to our Community Interpreting Certificate comprised of three courses representing about 36 additional hours of instruction. The lecture course is an introduction to anatomy and medical terminology; the BC health care system; and some of the business, ethical and legal responsibilities you will be assuming. Tutorials provide bilingual training in consecutive interpreting and sight translation using medical scenarios and terminologies.
Introduction to Canadian law and legal terminology, and ethical issues encountered by legal interpreting practitioners. Tutorials provide extensive practice in consecutive interpreting, and sight translation of legal documents.
Lectures will expand your knowledge of criminal law, civil law, and trial procedures. You will absorb a great deal of terminology and study the ethical and legal aspects of being a court interpreter. You will be introduced to simultaneous interpreting. The tutorials focus on specific court situations and are based on real trial transcripts. The Practice labs are nearly all in “simultaneous” mode.
We are planning to introduce our Conference Interpreting Program in 2017. It is a demanding occupation practiced by highly trained professionals and is normally conducted in an interpreters’ booth with sound equipment.
We will be launching various translation courses in 2017.
Courses for people already working as interpreters who may or may not have an interpreting certificate.
Courses that are offered to clients to solve specific issues or address general needs.
All our exams and most of our tests are generated. produced and graded by our sister organization, The Language Bureau.