Introduction to Community Interpreting

The Introduction to Community Interpreting (ICI) curriculum was developed by the Northern Virginia AHEC to provide interpreters with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to facilitate communications between Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals and public school personnel, social workers, and other community service workers. The 20-hour course is fast-paced, intense and highly interactive. It is ideal for bilingual individuals who are already interpreting at their place of employment, informally for friends and family, or in some other capacity but have not been formally trained in the techniques, methods, and ethics of interpreting.

Application and Fees:

If you are interested in applying to enroll in the “Introduction to Community Interpreting” training program, you must complete the application form and return it to: Blue Ridge AHEC Language Services
MSC 9009, James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA 22807

There is a $45 fee to take the Language Proficiency exam and you must pass the Language Proficiency exam in order to enroll in the interpreter training program.

The 20-hour program costs $150 and includes an “Interpreter Manual” and glossaries on CD.

You may also contact us by fax at 540.568.3172 or email interpreter@jmu.edu.

Testing:

To participate in the training, applicants must pass a rigorous oral and written exam to test their language proficiency both in English and their target language.

After receiving your application, Blue Ridge AHEC will contact you to schedule a time for you to take the Language Proficiency exam. The exam will include medical terminology.

Most applicants require about 90 minutes to complete the exam and results are usually available within two to three weeks.

You must pass the Language Proficiency exam in English and your target language to enroll in the training.

Training:

Blue Ridge AHEC offers “Introduction to Community Interpreting” training twice a year, in the fall and the spring. (See calendar for details.) Trainings are held on three consecutive weekends and all training is in English.

Area agencies or community organizations can also contact the Blue Ridge AHEC to discuss scheduling trainings in other areas of the Shenandoah Valley and Virginia.

During the course of the training, each candidate learns how to best serve as a conduit, clarifier, cultural broker and advocate to the client and the provider.

Overview of “Introduction to Community Interpreting” Training

Participants in Introduction to Community Interpreting study the following topics:

Background of Interpretation
Professional Ethics and Boundaries
Interpreting in Community Settings
Types of Interpreting
Guiding the Encounter
Setting the Tone
Seating Arrangement
Interpreting Techniques
The Impact of Culture

Employment opportunities:

Interpreters are qualified to seek employment with schools and other agencies that utilize professional interpreters. In the Harrisonburg-Rockingham area, completion qualifies you to interpret for several local school systems.

How to get started:

For more information, or to schedule a language proficiency exam, complete the application form and contact Blue Ridge AHEC at 540.568.3011.