Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
New online courses translate to success
The four courses, which begin at first year degree level (the Vocational Certificate) up to masters level (the Advanced Professional Diploma), are aimed at improving and perfecting the professional performance of people who provide interpreting services to those who speak little or no English and who are accessing public services such as local authorities, hospitals and social services.
Graham Webb, Principal Lecturer in Languages, commented: "The unique and innovative courses have been designed in collaboration with industry specialists and are delivered on a part-time basis and entirely online, meaning students can work in their own time and at their own pace, supported by our tutors over the internet. The courses will prepare linguists to become professional Public Service Interpreters between English and any other language to help them gain employment as interpreters with public service institutions."
All courses are delivered online, making them unique, flexible and open to everyone, whatever combination of languages they offer. All start four times a year: in April, June, October and January; with the Vocational Certificate and Diploma lasting three months and the Professional and Advanced Professional Diplomas six months. The courses can be taken separately, depending on the level and aims of the student, or in sequence, and they all cover the key issues faced by professional Public Service Interpreters: such as ethics and professional skills, face-to-face skills, telephone and sight translation, interpreting skills, and language and cultural skills.
The courses are delivered through the International School of Linguists' virtual learning environment: an innovative web-based platform designed specifically for linguists. Its distance learning format opens up the courses nationally, with rigorous academic assessment and tutor support provided by Leeds Metropolitan University.
The event will include a demonstration of the online training courses on the website. There will be an introduction to the Leeds/Yorkshire Interpreter Forum and a question and answer session with a panel of experts involved in Public Service Interpreting.