Interpreting & Translation Short Courses

This range of short courses provides prospective interpreters and/or translators with the foundations for eventual professional certification. Learners are introduced to the basic roles, ethics, theories, and skills of interpreting and translation in order to understand the critical importance of evidence-based best practice in these professions. Students are supported in the professionalisation of their language skills through authentic interpreting and translations tasks taken from a range of contemporary, real-world contexts.

The three courses are:

• Introduction to Interpreting & Translation (SC0002)
• Introduction to Interpreting Fundamentals (SC0017)
• Introduction to Translation Fundamentals (SC0022)

Courses can be stacked to grant learners Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) towards formal postgraduate study. 

What will I learn?

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Analyse the linguistic features of general texts;
2. Use fundamental theories of translation and interpreting to inform, develop, and justify translation and interpreting choices and performance in line with professional ethics;
3. Apply bilingual language skills applicable to relevant and proficiency-appropriate translation, intepreting, and intercultural communication tasks at an introductory level;
4. Recognise the principles of professional ethics and conduct;
5. Identify stakeholders of the interpreting and translation industry in Australia.

Learners will gain a better understanding of the professional context in which they are likely to experience the practical application, of the knowledge and translation skills needed for future professional careers.

How will I learn?

A fully online course comprising: 60 hrs of synchronous lectures and tutorials and 90 hrs of extra self-directed activities, readings, and assessment tasks.

Students will be required to do weekly homework and assignments, including readings, self-directed activities and online lecture/tutorial attendance. An attendance rate of at least 80% at these sessions is required to pass this course.

Lectures will be shared across all languages and will directly link to a host of online materials and tasks which will support you in the development of your translation and interpreting skills, relative to your unique language proficiency.

This is reinforced by tutorials in which you will practice your bilingual skills in both language directions and take part in peer- and self-assessment with expert feedback provided by your tutors who are NAATI-certified interpreters and translators in your language pair.

Who should take this course?

This is a tailor-made course for recipients of the Multicultural NSW scholarship program, designed and delivered by the UNSW Interpreting and Translation Group in the School of Humanities and Languages.

This course is tailored for beginners with an interest in interpreting and translation, as well as current students and anyone seeking an introductory experience. 

Select 'Contact us' above if you would like to enquire about training for your organisation.

Who is leading this course?

Professor Sandra Hale graduated with the first PhD in forensic linguistics/court interpreting in Australia in 2001. Since then, her research has covered different aspects of legal interpreting, including issues of quality, accuracy, codes of ethics, role expectations, the impact of interpreters on legal proceedings, the perceptions of interpreters held by service providers and non-English speakers and the impact of working conditions on interpreter performance.

Multicultural NSW

The School of Humanities & Languages' Interpreting and Translation Research Group has been partnering with Multicultural NSW since 2021 to deliver short course training for future interpreters and translators. This ensures scholarship recipients can receive the best start to their career in translation or interpreting.

Credentials

Students who have successfully completed Introduction to Translation Fundamentals or Introduction to Interpreting Fundamentals are able to stack 3UOC towards this course. 

Successful completion of this course will provide 6UOC RPL towards any of the Graduate Certificates in Interpreting and Translation elective courses.