Introduction to Community Interpreting

Are you a bilingual who wants to use language skills to help other people to communicate? Or even to earn money as an interpreter?

Here is a short course you need to educate yourself about what is involved in working as a community interpreter.

What will you learn from this course?

• Understand ethical and professional principles of community interpreting

• Learn how to prepare for interpreting sessions

• Find out dos and don’ts of community interpreting

• Learn about various methods to develop your community interpreting skills and build your career

• Tips on how to deal with various community interpreting settings, including the over-the-phone interpreting (high demand nowadays)

Requirements for the course

• You are fluent in at least two languages. If you intend to work in Ireland, you must have English proficiency level C1 under CEFR.

• You have a device to run the course (computer, headphone, internet, etc.)

What is community interpreting?

Community interpreting is an umbrella term, which covers interpreting in public service settings, such as healthcare (hospitals, doctors' appointments), law enforcement (police and court), immigration (refugee centres), housing, welfare, and so on.

Why do you need to take this course?

Working in these settings demands a certain level of professionalism from an interpreter due to the sensitive and confidential nature of the communication, and specific terminology involved.

Who should join this course?

This course is designed for beginner interpreters, and for those who find themselves in a position of an 'unofficial' community interpreter such as helping a friend, neighbour or relative to communicate with various authorities.