Introduction to Interpreting Summer School (on-campus)

Course details

• Date: 3 day course, 18th to 20th August 2023 or 5 day course, 18th to 22nd August 
• Location: Edinburgh Campus 

Academic Coordinator: Fanny Chouc

Course description

This course has been designed for complete beginners to interpreting who are interested in learning about interpreting as a professional activity and as a discipline, and in applying their knowledge of English and another language from Arabic, French, German, Greek, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, or Spanish to developing interpreting skills.  

Participants will be able to choose: 

• Weekend course over three days from Friday to Sunday (18 hours) 
• One or two additional days: Monday and/or Tuesday (6 additional hours per day)

Over the course of these 3 to 5 days, participants will: 

• Familiarise themselves with the history, evolution, and modes of interpreting used in different settings, and with the features of on-site and online interpreting
• Develop memory, active listening, and synthesis skills for consecutive interpreting
• Learn how to synthesise a speech, reformulate ideas, and improve their public speaking skills through guided practice
• Discuss quality criteria in consecutive and simultaneous interpreting and learn strategies to give and receive feedback
• Familiarise themselves with assignment preparation and different types of self and group practice
• Learn note-taking for consecutive interpreting and apply it through guided practice
• Practise consecutive interpreting into English with short speeches and longer speeches Learn about the specific features of simultaneous interpreting as a mode, booth manners (on-site and online), Remote Simultaneous Interpreting platforms and remote interpreting practice 
• Practise early simultaneous interpreting through pre-simultaneous activities and beginner level speeches

Students will develop consecutive and early simultaneous interpreting skills through online live sessions in the morning and in the afternoon. Sessions will be interactive and led by experienced interpreter trainers who will guide students, provide feedback, cover topics related to professional practice and the interpreting market, and facilitate discussions and collaboration among participants. 

Course languages and participant profiles

This course is aimed at participants with no or very basic knowledge of interpreting who are fluent in English and one other language from Arabic, French, German, Greek, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, or Spanish. Practice will include English-English exercises for skill development and Ar/Fr/Ge/Gr/It/Ch/Sp into English practice. This includes graduates from languages degrees, translators, students enrolled in languages degrees, or other participants interested in interpreting who meet the language and language learning background requirements.   

Proficiency in English and one other language from Arabic, French, German, Greek, Italian, Mandarin Chinese or Spanish is required. As part of the application process, candidates will have to demonstrate their English level by uploading a short video recording in which they tell us a little bit about themselves and their motivation to take the course in English, and about their language learning background in one of the other languages listed above. 

*This course is not suitable for experienced interpreters or recent interpreting graduates. Experienced interpreters or recent graduates who master consecutive and simultaneous interpreting looking to work on their English retour should consider applying for our English Retour Interpreting Summer School.  

*A minimum of 2 participants per language combination will be required. If you speak English and a language other than the ones listed above, we will consider adding your language combination if there were at least 2 participants with that language combination. 

If you have any questions about entry requirements, course content or delivery, or you are unsure whether this course is for you, please contact us at lincs.cpd@hw.ac.uk

Accommodation:  

Accommodation on campus is available at a discounted rate.  

Option 1: Guest house  

• £50 single occupancy per night
• £65 double occupancy per night

Option 2: Courtyard by Marriott (situated inside the campus, 5 minutes’ walk from the Summer School venue):  

• £89.00 Bed & Breakfast single occupancy per night
• £99.00 Bed & Breakfast double occupancy per night

Please email your chosen option and number of nights to lincs.cpd@hw.ac.uk  

Registration

Visit Eventbrite for more information and to register.

Cancellation policy:  

The course fee will be fully refunded if you cannot travel due to Covid or Covid related restrictions.  

Course Programme

Please note the course programme is subject to minor changes affecting the timing of sessions but not course content