Interpreting: development-focused practical training (10cr)

Objective

Students will be able to:
• apply ethical principles of interpreting in problem-solving and decision-making and apply an inquiry-based approach to their interpreting practice
• demonstrate a command of customer-focused practice and the interpreter’s role as a facilitator of communication
• analyse the specifics of interpreting with different customer groups and identify the skills requirements of work with different groups
• work with organisations that represent different customer groups and with other experts, customers, operators and interpreters in an ethically sustainable manner and give expert presentations about their work
• prepare for and execute different types of interpreting assignments, taking into account the work environment, operating culture and the customer’s individual needs
• analyse, plan and describe interpreting arrangements for different types of environments
• produce interpreting output that supports interaction in a range of communication and interaction situations
• reflect on and assess their skills and practice in a realistic manner, and process and utilise feedback in their professional development.

Content

The practical training period develops students’ ability to maintain their skills in the working languages/methods. The contents vary depending on the weighting of advanced studies: interpreting, interpreting for speech-impaired customers, multimodal interpreting with different customer groups, or speech-to-text interpreting and linguistic accessibility. The chosen weighting will determine the exact content, timing and work environment of the practical training period.

Students can also spend the period in international settings. In this case, the practical training can involve e.g. interpreting for migrants, interpreting interaction between professionals, and working in multilingual environments. The international work environment can be in Finland or abroad.

Learning environment: Practical training (10 ECTS credits).

Practical training contents according to the chosen weighting:


Interpreting: Students learn to use appropriate language, communication and interpreting methods in different types of interpreting assignments, and select and use appropriate multimodal communication methods. Students develop situational awareness and ability to read situations when working with different types of customers. Students advance their knowledge of customers’ needs and means of communication. Upon completion of the practical training period, students will be able to act in a professional and confident manner and work in interaction situations in a way that supports customers’ right of self-determination, inclusion and activeness.

Multimodal interpreting with different customer groups: Students advance their knowledge of challenges relating to the transitional stage following changes in vision or hearing ability from the point of view of interpreting. Students learn to take into account the variations of functional hearing and vision by working in different types of environments. Students learn to use appropriate language, communication and interpreting methods in different types of interpreting assignments, and select and use appropriate multimodal communication methods. Students advance their skills in signed speech interpreting, interpreting to a restricted field of vision, tactile interpreting and various augmentative and alternative communication methods. In addition, students advance their guidance, description and social haptic communication skills. Students develop their customer focus and ability to propose suitable options in a given situation. At the end of the practical training period, students give a demonstration of proficiency in interpreting for deafblind customers.

Speech-to-text interpreting and linguistic accessibility: Upon completion of this module, students will be able to identify the tasks of speech-to-text interpreters, and work as interpreters and promote linguistic accessibility in a range of work environments and as part of various team interpreting combinations. Students will be able to use a range of equipment and devices for speech-to-text interpreting and linguistic accessibility. Students will be able to identify and use the abbreviations glossary of speech-to-text interpreters as well as special symbols and technical writing methods. Depending on their skill level, students will be able to use signs, sign language or other methods and spoken language in encounters with customers. At the end of the course, students take the final exam in speech-to-text interpreting.