Introduction to Public Service (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 public service (community) interpreter.

What will you learn from this course?

• Understand ethical and professional principles of public service (community) interpreting

• Learn how to prepare for interpreting sessions

• Find out dos and don’ts of public service (community) interpreting

• Learn about various methods to develop your public service (community) interpreting skills and build your career

• Tips on how to deal with various public service (community) interpreting settings, including the over-the-phone interpreting (in 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 no lower than B2 under CEFR.

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

What is community interpreting?

Public service interpreting or community interpreting, as it is also known, is an umbrella term, that 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have access to the course materials?

You can view and review the lecture materials indefinitely, like an on-demand channel.

Can I take my courses with me wherever I go?

Definitely! If you have an internet connection, courses on Udemy are available on any device at any time. If you don’t have an internet connection, some instructors also let their students download course lectures. That’s up to the instructor though, so make sure you get on their good side!