Lind-Web Forum - 24 May 2012
OPTIMALE: Enhancing
employability of graduates
LIND-WEB FORUM
24 May 2012, Brussels
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• Optimising professional translator training in a multilingual
Europe
• Erasmus “Academic Network” funded by the DirectorateGeneral for Education and Culture
• Starting date: October 2010 End: September 2013
• Partners: 64 EEA universities (27 countries), 5 non EEA
universities, + EUATC (European Union of Associations of
Translation Companies)
Lind-Web Forum - 24 May 2012
OPTIMALE
• Coordinator: Université Rennes 2, France
• www.translator-training.eu
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• monitor the changing nature of the translation
professions
• act as a vehicle and stimulus for innovation and high
quality in the training of professional translators
• build on and feed into the work being undertaken by
the European Masters in Translation (EMT)
• strengthen ties with institutions and professional
bodies (also beyond EMT network)
Lind-Web Forum - 24 May 2012
Aims and tasks
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• Mapping translator training (WP3): interactive map
of European translator training programmes
• Monitoring market and societal needs and
professional requirements relevant to translator
training (WP4): reports on emerging industry needs
and (new) professional competence profiles
• Training for professional practice (WP5):
Transferable good practice in specific areas of
translator training
• Training of trainers (WP6): training of trainer sessions
Lind-Web Forum - 24 May 2012
Workpackages and
deliverables
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• 1. Quality
• 2. Professional awareness
• knowledge of professional standards and ethics
• 3. Academic training and qualification
Lind-Web Forum - 24 May 2012
Employer competence
requirements (WP4)
• 4. Knowledge of the entire translation production process
• client requirements, client relations, ressources
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• Objective:
• Describe, define and disseminate good practices in four
thematic areas:
•
•
•
•
5.1 New tools and technologies – University of Vienna
5.2 Domain specialization –University of Salamanca
5.3 Professional oriented-practices – Aston University
5.4 Quality assurance –Babes-Bolyai University
Lind-Web Forum - 24 May 2012
WP5 Training for
professional practice
• Deliverables:
•
•
•
•
Synthesis reports: on the current existing practices
Case studies: examples of good practice
Reference frameworks: handbook for new courses or module
Resource materials: Transferable learning materials
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• Mapping existing approaches to the introduction
of professional practice in translator training
programmes (questionnaires)
• synthesis report discussed at Workshop, 31
March 2012, Aston University, Birmingham
• case studies identified (good practice)
Lind-Web Forum - 24 May 2012
5.3 Professionally-oriented
practices in academic context
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• teaching practical translation classes (benefits:
authentic texts, authentic assignments,
professional expertise),
• (contribute to) teaching other specific modules
Lind-Web Forum - 24 May 2012
1 Contribution of
professional translators
added value: enhanced graduate employability, do
translation in a professional way
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• Some form of contract-based employment
• Proper induction of professional translators to university
policies and procedures and to programme aims, content,
assessment criteria
• Full integration of professional translators into
programme team and entrusting them with specific tasks
(e.g. organising placements)
• Also: invite professionals to serve on programme
committees or faculty boards
Lind-Web Forum - 24 May 2012
Good practice
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• ‘professionally-oriented practices’ also covers business
and commercial aspects of the profession, project
management, ethical aspects, quality procedures, handle
complaints …
• mostly talks (by representatives of the translation industry
and/or of professional organisations), seminars or
workshops (e.g. on workflow, on professional ethics,
networking, the role of professional organisations)
• Some programmes include specific modules or courses
which focus on professionally-oriented practices (e.g.
project management)
Lind-Web Forum - 24 May 2012
2 Specific modules
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• including project management, business and
commercial aspects, ethical aspects and customer
related aspects in translator training programmes
enhances graduates’ employability.
• some form of assessment of such skills would be
essential.
• input from the translation industry and
professional associations is particularly useful in
this respect.
Lind-Web Forum - 24 May 2012
Good practice
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• student ‘companies’ (or similar simulation exercises): students
manage a real project, create a bank account, design a website,
a logo and business cards, (should) make profit.
• a good method of practicing business and entrepreneurial skills.
• good opportunities to enhance transferable skills (time
management, team work, interpersonal skills, coping with
conflict)
Lind-Web Forum - 24 May 2012
3 Translation ‘companies’
run by students
• Recommendation: add monitoring mechanisms (i.e.
Timesheets, Log file, Complaint form, Incident report form)
(largely lacking in programmes).
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• Student ‘companies’ need to be presented to clients as
university projects.
• Student ‘companies’ must not compete with professional
companies and must calculate realistic costs in line with
the market.
• Students should be allowed to take on responsibility and
manage their projects autonomously.
• Activities must be in accordance with local laws and
regulations.
• Student ‘companies’ could cooperate with professional
companies (revision, quality assurance).
Lind-Web Forum - 24 May 2012
Good practice
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• Placements and internships are an integral part of
most programmes, although they differ in length,
and can be compulsory or optional.
• Often not assessed and not credit bearing
• They enhance students’ employability (more
informed knowledge and first hand experience of
the reality of the profession).
Lind-Web Forum - 24 May 2012
4 Work
placements/internships
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• Establish good links between universities and
companies.
• Prepare students properly for starting a
placement (so that company does not have to
devote a significant amount of time to induction).
• Encourage the arrangement of shadowing (also
including freelance translators) as a good
opportunity to get experience of the profession
from the beginning of a programme.
Lind-Web Forum - 24 May 2012
Good practice
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www.translator-training.eu
Professor Christina Schaeffner
Aston University
Birmingham B4 7ET
C.Schaeffner@aston.ac.uk
Lind-Web Forum - 24 May 2012
This project has been funded with support from the
European Commission. This publication reflects the
view only of the author, and the Commission cannot be
held responsible for any use which may be made of the
information contained therein.
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