eLearning materials for interpreters

You may have heard that the only way to become an interpreter is through face-to-face training.

I don’t dispute the value of feedback on your performance given by an experienced trainer, preferably in person (especially when it comes to simultaneous interpreting). In fact, I believe this is an essential part of interpreter training and should make up the bulk of your classroom hours (if you’re enrolled on an interpreting course) and your group practice sessions. After all, I’m an interpreter trainer myself, teaching at several universities.

Having said that,it takes many different skills to make a good interpreter: quick thinking, analytical skills, calm under pressure, public speaking skills, tact, teamwork, self-awareness, and many more. Some of these, and indeed some of the technical aspects of interpreting, such as note-taking, do not require the constant presence of a trainer.

In fact, I’m 100% sure that if you’re studying interpreting, you are required, or heavily advised, to put in several hours of self-study each week, outside of the classroom, to consolidate your skills. You can’t spend all of that time going through speech after speech; it’s exhausting and counterproductive.

What you can do, though, is work on the sub-skills of interpreting, the building blocks that, when put together, will make you into a well-rounded interpreter with solid skills across the board.

What are the benefits of the webinars, eBooks and eCourses I offer?

  • they complement formal, classroom-based interpreter training
  • you can work at your own pace
  • you can review the material as many times as you like
  • my courses may cover material that isn’t dealt with in class, through lack of time
  • my courses may offer you a different perspective on familiar material and go into more depth
  • some of my courses are suitable for CPD (continued professional development)
  • the materials are engaging, practical, and focused on improving your skills

Who are these webinars, eBooks and eCourses for?

  • my courses are primarily aimed at trainee interpreters who are following an interpreting course (e.g. a master’s degree in conference interpreting) and who are looking for materials to support their independent learning.
  • much of the ground I cover is relevant both to conference interpreters and community interpreters, because the basic skills are the same.
  • some of the courses are suitable for qualified interpreters seeking to expand their knowledge and continue developing.
  • a few of the courses are suitable for translators as well as interpreters (e.g.Stress Management for Interpreters and Translators).

What qualifies me to produce eLearning materials for interpreters?

I have been an interpreter trainer for 15 years, and a conference interpreter for more than 20 years. You can learn more about my career here.
In that time, I have taught face to face and accumulated a great deal of experience, but I have also:

  • designed online resources for interpreter training in the context of the EU-funded ORCIT project (Online Resources for Intepreter Training).
  • designed online materials for the UK’s NNI (National Network for Interpreting).
  • created and maintained a large bank of eLearning materials for interpreters on my website Speechpool, which hosts video clips suitable for interpreting practice.
  • coached interpreters during Virtual Classes.

In short, I believe technology can help us to deliver many aspects of interpreter training online, and I have the ideal combination of skills to do so.

Elearning for interpreters is still in its infancy, and I have designed all these materials from scratch, thinking carefully about interpreters’ needs.
Wherever possible, I have included practical exercises, activity sheets or demonstrations, because learning to interpret is far more about practice than theory.

I hope you will find the website useful.

Finally, I want to let you know about some fantastic bonuses you can enjoy by becoming a member of this site.

Simply by creating a free account, you will have access to practice material that is unavailable elsewhere, a members’ forum to help you connect with other aspiring interpreters, and The Interpreting Coach’s newsletter packed with useful information and special offers.

Please take a look around the site to learn more about the online materials I offer, and get in touch if you have any questions!
You may also be desperate for more information about a particular topic – if so, let me know and I’ll try to design a webinar for you!

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