Course Title: Conference Interpreting

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Conference Interpreting

Credit Points: 12.00

Important Information:

 

 


Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

LANG1368

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2020

Course Coordinator: Dr Erika Gonzalez Garcia

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 0428

Course Coordinator Email: erika.gonzalezgarcia@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 37.5.17

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required Prior Study 

You should have satisfactorily completed the prerequisite courses LANG1237 Interpreting Accrediting Practice 1 and LANG1238 Interpreting Accrediting Practice 2 before you commence this course.

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.  

Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.   

 


Course Description

This course aims to provide you with an introduction to the skills and knowledge of simultaneous interpreting in conference settings and the ability to apply relevant specialised and contextual knowledge common in international conferences and organisations, and other settings where the ‘chuchotage” technique is required.  

It also aims to introduce you to a range of other specific interpreting techniques, such as reformulation, condensation and anticipation.   

You will learn how to interpret with both the use of relevant electronic equipment for settings including conference, court and health, and without equipment in settings such as business and diplomatic negotiations or court interpreting.     

The course forms the first semester of a two-semester sequence of studies aiming at the Conference Interpreter level tested by National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters [NAATI]. You can access this external test after completing the degree.  

This course includes a work integrated learning experience in which your knowledge and skills will be applied and assessed in a real or simulated workplace context and where feedback from industry and/or other professionals is integral to your experience.  


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes 

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:  

  • Critically reflect on and apply abstract concepts and knowledge of languages, cultures and research methods in order to facilitate communication across cultures and languages.  
  • Use appropriate cognitive, technical and creative skills to resolve intralingual and interlingual issues to transfer the communicative intent of spoken or written discourse.  
  • Apply high level professional communication skills in multi-lingual environments.  
  • Reflect on and develop your personal practice to maintain current local and global professional standards and practices, and to extend and challenge industry knowledge.


Course Learning Outcomes  

Upon successful completion of this course, you will develop skills in: 

  1. Interpreting in the simultaneous interpreting mode and without equipment with gradually increasing levels of complexity.  
  2. Developing memory, comprehension and reformulation skills. 
  3. Understanding the dynamics and complexities of settings in which simultaneous interpreting takes place. 
  4. Researching in a wide range of fields in order to deliver high quality interpreting services. 
  5. Developing good public speaking skills.


Overview of Learning Activities

Lectures and workshops will be devoted to:   

  • Interpreting in simultaneous mode (including chuchotage) with and without equipment.  
  • Strengthening of the necessary skills for simultaneous interpreting (comprehension, chunking, reformulation, chuchotage)  
  • Developing the advance consecutive interpreting skills required to work in bilateral and multilateral meetings of a diverse nature (political, diplomatic, scientific, etc.)  
  • Discussing specialised knowledge in the diverse domains in which simultaneous and consecutive interpreting occurs.  
  • Linking interpreting exercises to the theoretical perspectives examined in other parts of the program.  

  You will also participate in mock conferences and other simulated activities within the program, interdisciplinary and/or with external organisations/institutions.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. 

The Translating & Interpreting program has developed extensive digital resources in interpreting which will be used as a basis of interpreting practice. Authentic material will also be used such as speeches in a wide range of fields (diplomacy, environment, research and development, legal and court, medical, business, etc.).   

Teachers are practising interpreters who bring their own experience and examples of professional interpreting contexts and professional practice scenarios to the classroom.   

Electronic equipment such as interpreting booths will be used for interpreting practice.  

The University Library has extensive resources for interpreting students. The Library has produced a number of subject guides that includes quality online and print resources for your studies Library Guides

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal. 


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. 

Assessment Tasks 

Task 1: Conference interpreting portfolio, 25%, CLO 3, 5   

Task 2: Interpreting test (consecutive), 25%, CLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 

Task 3: Interpreting test (simultaneous), 25% CLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 

Task 4: Mock Conference, 25%, CLO 5 

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program manager or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more. 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.