Language Interpreter Training Certificate
The Language Interpreter Training Certificate Program is designed for bilingual individuals who
wish to work as spoken language interpreters in the legal, health care, social service and
domestic violence prevention sectors in Ontario. Integrating theory, principles and concepts with
practical application and skills development, the program aims to assist individuals in developing
the introductory level competencies, skills, knowledge and attitudes required for proficient
practice as language interpreters. The program will benefit individuals who wish to begin a
career in interpreting, as well as those already working as interpreters who wish to upgrade their
skills and obtain a college credential.
This 180-hour program provides an introduction to spoken language interpreting, with skills
development practice in the major constituent tasks of interpreting – consecutive interpreting,
sight translation and note taking, simultaneous interpreting, and a focus on setting-specific
interpreting. The final 30-hour capstone course concentrates on the integration of all of these
skills in typical settings encountered by spoken language interpreters. This final course also
incorporates a module that addresses some of the competencies required to operate a small
business. Participants who successfully complete the program will demonstrate compliance with
the Standards of Practice and Ethical Principles and an ethical code appropriate to the language
interpreting profession. This program also incorporates essential employability skills, the
fundamental, personal management, and teamwork skills necessary to get, keep, and progress
in a job-of-choice, or to enter further postsecondary studies.
Program Curriculum
Course I – Introduction to Spoken Language Interpreting
This course presents the fundamentals of providing spoken language interpreting services in
various settings. Participants will consider the role and responsibilities of the interpreter and
discuss professional standards of practice and ethical principles to guide an interpreter’s
performance. The course also provides an introduction to various skills required for successful
interpreting including note taking, active listening, memory retention, mental transposition and
verbalisation in the target language.
Course II - Consecutive Interpreting
Following a brief overview of the theoretical framework underlying the process of consecutive
interpreting, the course concentrates on the development of skills essential to the task of
effective interpreting including: memory and comprehension, note taking, vocabulary building,
and handling linguistic and ethical challenges assertively. Consecutive interpreting exercises are
incorporated throughout the course with a view to analyzing and improving practice.
Course III – Skills Development – Sight Translation
Sight translation, sometimes referred to as sight interpretation, is a hybrid of interpreting and
translation. Using documents related to a number of different settings, the course will instruct
participants in the fundamentals of sight translation and assist in the development of related
skills, such as reading comprehension, scanning for main ideas, fast reading, analysis of
language, vocabulary enrichment and comprehension verification through paraphrasing. The
course will also equip participants with the tools to manage ethical and performance challenges
encountered in sight translation.
Course IV - Skills Development – Simultaneous Interpreting
Simultaneous interpreting provides an immediate interpretation of speeches and dialogues.
Through simulations, role plays and audio/visual exercises participants will develop skills in
simultaneous interpreting without the use of electronic equipment. Subsequent to the theory
overview, participants will practice: active listening, shadowing, retelling, paraphrasing, note
taking, memory exercises and self-evaluation. Based on exposure to exercises and simulations,
participants will develop and practice entry-level skills and techniques used in simultaneous
interpreting in various settings and contexts.
Course V – Setting Specific Interpreting
The course concentrates on the acquisition of knowledge and the enhancement of skills
introduced in Courses I-IV in preparation for interpreting in different settings. Four interpreting
settings are introduced and explored; court interpreting, interpreting with child victims/witnesses;
health care interpreting; and interpreting in the violence against women sector. Protocols,
procedures and techniques necessary for functioning effectively as an interpreter are reviewed
and discussed forming the basis for problem solving exercises. A variety of articles with
accompanying activities, and research and field observation assignments provide context and
add to the richness of course content. Skill and knowledge development and assessment are
supported by role play and case scenario analysis in theoretical situations.
Course VI – Capstone Course – Skills Integration
The Capstone Course begins with a brief review of the main interpreting competencies covered
in the previous five courses. Following a recap of the ethical principles and standards of practice,
the skills of consecutive interpreting and note taking, sight translation and simultaneous
interpreting are practiced in preparation for the course’s major component - the integration of
interpreter skills and competencies through the “Comprehensive Case Studies’ method. The
final module deals with professional comportment issues and some of the financial management
skills required for the interpreter who works as an independent contractor.