Respect for all: Interpreter training

This course was taken by students in key stage 4 and the sixth form.

Context

This activity was taught at a large inner-city, mixed 11-19 community school. Pupils at the school come from a wide range of linguistic and ethnic backgrounds and speak non-English languages. Of these pupils, many have parents who do not speak English. For some years the school has run an after-school project to teach students in years 12 and 13 to act as interpreters in typical school contexts such as parents' evenings. This training course (without the assessment) has just been made available to pupils in years 10 and 11.

Aims

• To provide opportunities to develop interpreting skills
• To enhance the status of less widely taught foreign languages.
• To promote awareness of the rich variety of cultural backgrounds at the school.
• To increase the self-esteem of bilingual students.

Activity objectives

• To demonstrate interpreting skills.
• To gain certification (for successful students) for work within the school's curriculum enrichment programme.

Activity description

Students with oral fluency in a language other than English can participate in the course. The classes cover practical aspects of interpreting, such as the difficulty of translating certain terms and concepts from educational contexts into other languages. Students are also taught to consider some of the ethical issues involved in interpreting (eg the importance of impartiality and confidentiality). The assessment at the end of the course covers theoretical aspects of interpreting and includes a simulated practical test that takes the form of a mock parents' evening.

The students involved have different ethnic backgrounds and there is a strong emphasis on respecting the language and culture of others. The multicultural composition of the group sessions has been valued by both the teacher and the students. As well as developing skills using their own language, the students learn about the cultural background of languages spoken by others in the group.

Within the wider school community the scheme enhances the status of the various languages spoken by the students. It also increases the self-esteem of the students involved. They develop a sense of responsibility, pride in their achievement and motivation to develop their language skills further.

The course forms part of the school's curriculum enrichment programme, which is linked with a university-run scheme. The certificate is recognised by UCAS and can help students to gain a university place.

Commentary

The course has the specific purpose of developing interpreting skills and providing students with an insight into a possible career. At the same time it contributes to mutual respect among the participants, increased self-esteem for the students, greater recognition of the value of bilingualism and an enhanced status for the many languages involved.

Resources

The modern foreign languages schemes of work can be found at www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/schemes
The online national curriculum can be found at www.nc.uk.net.