Professional Enhancement

Autumn Term
( Sep-Dec)

Winter Term
( Jan-Apr)

The first half of the module takes place before the start of the other modules, bridging the gap between the skills and knowledge of Chinese graduates and the level at which they can undertake the interpreting modules: this specially designed programme improves students' knowledge of the UK, of the English language and of subject-specific styles and vocabulary through intensive teaching and assignment-based guided learning.

From January to March, whilst acquiring the skills and knowledge necessary for the two main types of interpreting (consecutive and simultaneous), students acquire higher level bi-lingual skills in areas that are particularly important to Chinese interpreters. These include three major cross-cultural elements(implication, humour and proverbs) and the three key grammatical elements (tense, number and article).

An advantage of this structure is that from April to Jul, students will be taking only three modules, enabling them to take on the integrated work placement, which takes place over five days in an interpreting agency in London. During this period they can begin collecting data for their dissertation, and are free to undertake any external interpreting assignments they are able to arrange for themselves.

Consecutive Interpreting

Winter Term
( Jan-Apr)

Spring Term
( May-Jul)

The Winter Term focuses on exchanges of utterances made to convey information. Here accuracy is the most important and often the only consideration. It includes the training of fundamental skills to Consecutive Interpreting - the use of notes, dealing with difficult expressions, preparaing for an assignment, standing up and interpreting.

The Spring Term develops students' ability to deliver the speaker's intended impact and effect on an audience. The focus will be on speeches and promotional presentations. The aim is to deliver impact as well as information. This is a much higher level of Consecutive Interpreting. It requires the use of a range of specialist skills - linguistic, pragmatic, use of voice, projecting the speaker.

Over the two terms, students will be dealing with a wide range of subject matters from bi-lateral relations, climate change to finance and technology.

Simultaneous Interpreting

Winter Term
( Jan-Apr)

Spring Term
( May-Jul)

The Winter Term focuses on the basic skills of Simultaneous Interpreting - fast conversion between English and Chinese, interpreting in small chunks of about 3-4 words at a time, concentrating the mind, focusing on following the speaker. Classroom tuition will be accompanied by extensive practice using the simultaneous interpreting suite and Black Box software.

The Spring Term broadens the scope of subject matters and range of specialist skills. It will also be assignment based. Each classroom session will be organized like a real assignment. Under guidance from Dr Lin, students will undertake substantial research and preparation as they would need to do as a new interpreter, do interpreting in our state-of-the-art booths, analysing each other's performance, identifying ways of improvement. There will be structured self-practice.

Both Consecutive and Simultaneous Interpreting modules will also teach presentation and public speaking skills, the use of voice, stress management, professional ethics and standards and management of relationships with clients, agencies and employers

Theories and Research in Interpreting

Winter Term
( Jan-Apr)

Spring Term
( May-Jul)

Introduces students to relevant theories in interpreting studies and prepares them with research skills and methodologies required in their dissertation and possible further studies.

The Dissertation gives students the opportunity to produce, under supervision, an original piece of writing consisting of a presentation of individual research on an aspect of interpreting theory or practice; the programme structure, allowing professional experience from Apr to Jul, facilitates the collection of data for the dissertation.

Dissertation

Summer Term