BRANDON COMMUNITY LANGUAGE CENTRE
Accurate, Confidential, Professional
"Your words are heard"
Becoming an Interpreter with BCLC
To Consider Before Applying:
Attendance at an Information Session – information sessions are critical to helping applicants understand the extent of the application process, the goals of the service and the expectations of them as interpreters in the community. There is a significant time commitment required and that there is a limited number of training spots available.
One of the common questions was “do I speak English well enough to be an interpreter”. We always made it clear that a successful interpreter required more than language proficiency and that if there was interest in interpreting then an individual should move forward with an application.
Applicant Requirements:
- Demonstrate fluency (speaking, reading) in English and in one of the following languages (Amharic, French, Chinese – Mandarin, Russian, Ukrainian, and Spanish)
- Flexible schedule
- Available to attend unpaid 48 hr training
- Ability to use information technology (internet, e-mail)
- Successful criminal record check and child abuse check
- Legally entitled to work anywhere
Application Process:
- Send in resume to Brandon Community Language Centre (1001 Pacific Avenue, Brandon MB, R7A 0J2)
- Pass the pre-screening (which includes a phone interview)
- Pre-Test: sessions are held to help applicants prepare for the language test. It is not mandatory but is has been found that those that participate in the pre-test session are more likely to pass the actual test.
- Pass the interpreter language and skills (ILSAT/CILISAT) assessment. The test takes approximately one hour to complete.
- Pass the personal interview (only 12 applicants are accepted for training)
Skills and Competencies:
Community Interpreters shall have the following competencies:
Interpreting Competence
Interpreting competence comprises the ability to interpret a message from one language to the other in the applicable mode. It includes the ability to assess and comprehend the original message and render it in the target language without omissions, additions or distortions. It also includes the knowledge/awareness of the interpreter’s own role in the interpreting encounter.
Interpreting skills
- Have active listening skills and strive to improve them through self-training.
- Have good memory retention skills.
- Be able to take notes during the interpretation assignment to ensure accuracy of the information given.
- Be able to mentally transpose and verbalize into the target language
Linguistic Competence
Linguistic competence includes the ability to comprehend the source language and apply this knowledge to render the message as accurately as possible in the target language.
Language skills
- Have an in depth knowledge and understanding of his/her working languages and the required range of language registers.
- Have knowledge of subject areas and relevant terminology.
- Research and Technical Competence
Research competence includes the ability to efficiently acquire the additional linguistic and specialized knowledge necessary to interpret in specialized cases. Research competence also requires experience in the use of research tools and the ability to develop suitable strategies for the efficient use of the information sources available.
Interpersonal skills
- Have strong communication skills.
- Be polite, respectful and tactful.
- Be able to relate well to people.
- Have good judgment.
(Taken from National Guide for Community Interpreting Services)
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