Course information: DIPLOMA IN LEGAL INTERPRETING i
Contents 1 Introduction... 1 2 Who is the Diploma suitable for?... 1 3 What are the entry requirements?... 1 4 What if my English is not on the right level?... 1 5 Brief outline of the courses... 2 Introduction to Interpreting Skills... 2 Liaison Interpreting in Specific Contexts... 2 Language Refinement for Language Practitioners... 2 English (Report Writing)... 3 English (Presentation Skills)... 3 English (Legal Research and Writing)... 3 Law Theory for Interpreters... 3 Introduction to Legal Interpreting... 3 Intercultural Communication and Mentoring in the Workplace... 3 6 How are the individual short courses in the Diploma structured?... 4 7 What certification is offered for the Diploma in Legal Interpreting?... 4 8 What are the fees for the Diploma in Legal Interpreting?... 4 9 Proposed methodology to be used with reference to industry standards... 4 10 NQF grading and quality assurance... 4 11 Included in training fees... 5 12 Registration requirements... 5 Contact us... 6 i
1 Introduction The Diploma in Legal Interpreting, which is accredited by SASSETA, is aimed at upgrading language practitioners skills in interpreting and thereby improving their career prospects. Qualifying students who pass the Diploma in Legal Interpreting will have access to an Honours degree in Translation or Interpreting at Wits, if they pass one postgraduate access short course, equivalent to one module of an Honours degree (either Principles and Practice of Translation or Principles and Practice of Interpreting). Wits University is unique country-wide in that it is the only tertiary institution to offer short courses in interpreting that are aligned with NQF unit standards at both undergraduate and postgraduate level and which provide students with a meaningful and recognised university certificate of competence on completion of the course. Because Wits short courses link to other short courses, and at postgraduate level, with Honours degree courses, it is possible for the part-time student to study intense, interlinked, highlevel short courses which combine distance and contact in a professional continuing education context. For liaison interpreting purposes, it is assumed that participants will need to be assessed at least at level B2 of the common European framework in the first foreign language. Students should preferably have spent at least a year in the country of their first foreign language in order to ensure that they have sufficient knowledge of the culture, politics and language of the country. 2 Who is the Diploma suitable for? Aspiring and professional liaison and/or court interpreters. 3 What are the entry requirements? These courses have been designed for individuals with: Good spoken and written skills in English Good language proficiency (spoken) in at least one other language from the following list of languages: Any of the official South African languages, South African Sign Language, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, German, Mandarin, Russian, Arabic, Shona or Swahili. Other foreign African languages on request A National Senior Certificate (Grade 12) or equivalent Basic computer literacy (Word, internet and email) Candidates must pass an aptitude test for interpreting potential in order to gain admission. Candidates will be interviewed to determine oral language proficiency (in English and the foreign language(s) and interpreting potential in the two working languages envisaged for the Diploma. 4 What if my English is not on the right level? All candidates are required to take a placement assessment before registering for any English course to ensure they enter the programme at an appropriate level. The placement assessment allows us to assess the candidate s level of prior learning according to RPL (recognition of prior learning), i.e. the present level of English language competence is established, which in turn allows us to place the candidate at the correct level within the programme. 1
These English levels are: NQF 2: English Foundations NQF 3: English Fundamentals NQF 4: Communicative Grammar NQF 4: Business Writing NQF 5: English for Report Writing NQF 5: English for Presentations Should students be assessed at NQF 2, 3 or 4, they will take the appropriate courses above instead of the NQF 5 courses. The English courses can be taken either in Johannesburg, at Wits Language School, Professional Development Hub, 92 Empire Road (corner Empire Road and Jan Smuts Ave, Braamfontein OR Pretoria, at 116 Clearwater Road, Corner Clearwater & Glenwood Roads, Lynnwood Glen Interpreting courses are only offered in Johannesburg. 5 Brief outline of the courses The programme consists of nine short courses and a total of 247 credits, all of which are aligned to NQF Unit standards as set by SAQA. The programme may be taken in eighteen months to two years parttime or, in exceptional cases, one year fulltime. The nine short courses are as follows, and should be taken in the order shown: PART 1 Introduction to Interpreting Skills Liaison Interpreting in Specific Contexts Language Refinement for Language Practitioners English (Report Writing or as assessed) English (Presentation Skills or as assessed) PART 2 English (Legal Research and Writing) Law theory for Interpreters Introduction to Legal Interpreting Intercultural Communication & Mentoring in the Workplace Introduction to Interpreting Skills This course is offered at NQF level 5 and aims to equip students with no prior formal interpreting training with interpreting skills at a community-based level, as well as to enhance linguistic and cultural knowledge and improve their ability to reflect on the process of interpreting in the South African context. Liaison Interpreting in Specific Contexts This short course is offered at NQF level 5 to participants who have passed Introduction to Interpreting Skills. Topics covered include conversational interaction and strategies, turn-taking and power relations, stress management, emotional intelligence, conflict management, powerful communication (leading and pacing) and managing interaction with clients in at least two contexts, which may include business, health-care, education and legal interpreting. This course is a must for any interpreter working in stressful situations. Language Refinement for Language Practitioners This short course, offered at NQF level 5, is suitable for anyone with good proficiency in a South African language, South African Sign Language or any major world language. In their chosen language, participants will develop the required skills to use language creatively and effectively in specific professional contexts (e.g. marketing, law and media) or other language-related project management situations. Emphasis is placed on the 2
acquisition of listening and speaking skills in a variety of professional contexts, including terminology acquisition and cultural competence. Skills include subtitling, scriptwriting, voice-overs/transcription and the writing of copy for marketing or advertising purposes. English (Report Writing) The purpose of this course is to expose you to the content and format of business reports in English. This course is aimed at professionals or trainee professionals in a wide range of fields in business, commerce and administration that have to read and write reports in English. By the end of this course you will be able to write your own, complete business report. English (Presentation Skills) The purpose of this course is to expose you to the content and format of presentations in English. This course is aimed at professionals who need to give presentations in English. By the end of this course you will be able to prepare and give a presentation in English using visuals. English (Legal Research and Writing) This course immerses students in legal discourse. We have tailored the course specifically for legal interpreting majors to address the skills needed to perform competently and confidently in legal settings. Students will have the opportunity to hone listening, speaking, reading and writing skills by being exposed to various types of legal discourse. It promises to be a lively course that will help you develop your legal vocabulary. Law Theory for Interpreters This course aims to equip aspiring court interpreters with the required law theory, so that they are able to work professionally in legal contexts with a full understanding of the legal implications of their actions. The course examines the court process as a whole: evidence, jurisdiction, criminal and civil court procedure, elements of a crime and many other important aspects of the legal system. This knowledge, along with the associated terminology, is crucial for the court interpreter. This course constitutes the first part of Introduction to Legal Interpreting, and must be passed first, before registering for Introduction to Legal Interpreting. Introduction to Legal Interpreting This course is offered at NQF level 5 to participants who have passed Law Theory for Interpreters. The purpose of this course is to equip practitioners who have some experience in interpreting with legal interpreting skills, as well as to enhance their knowledge of law theory as it relates to the South African legal context. Legal interpreting is a complex process that requires specialised training in interpreting techniques, litigation tactics, legal language and the legal system. Intercultural Communication and Mentoring in the Workplace The purpose of this short course, offered at NQF level 5, is to assist students in understanding human communication in multi-cultural settings with a particular focus on the mass media and/or the workplace. Participants learn to come to terms with diversity in South Africa and how to reduce intercultural misunderstandings. Students discuss communication in the context of the world of business and management, including organisational functions and meeting styles, management activities (planning, organising, leading, controlling, interacting), powerful communication, pacing and leading, motivation, as well as conflict management and mentoring in the workplace. 3
6 How are the individual short courses in the Diploma structured? The interpreting short courses run for eight weeks part-time. During the eight weeks, participants must attend eight days of face-to-face workshops, which follow one of the following formats: Four x two-day workshops, followed by the examination Two x three-day workshops and one x two-day workshop, followed by the examination The three short courses in English run for 10 weeks part-time on Saturday mornings. Participants in all of the short courses have access to an online learning platform, Edmodo, during the entire teaching period. Edmodo is easy to use, allows students to work in their own time, and also helps to improve knowledge of the internet and email, which are important skills in the world of work. 7 What certification is offered for the Diploma in Legal Interpreting? Students receive Wits NQF level 5 certificates of competence for the individual short courses. After completing all nine short courses successfully, a Diploma in Legal Interpreting will be awarded from the SASSETA. 8 What are the fees and dates for the Diploma in Legal Interpreting? COURSE Language Refinement for Language Practitioners 19 September - 6 November English (Report Writing) 1 June 10 August 28 September 7 December English (Presentation Skills) 1 June 10 August 28 September 7 December Intercultural Communication & Mentoring in the Workplace 16 September 7 November English for Law** 28 May 9 July Law theory for Interpreters** 2 July 17 September Introduction to Legal Interpreting** 3 October 27 November * Completion of Introduction to Interpreting is a prerequisite ** To be taken after Liaison Interpreting FEE R3 900 R3 900 R3 900 9 Proposed methodology to be used with reference to industry standards Wits University is a top-level university, and its qualifications are internationally recognised. The university is an accredited training provider. The training is fully compliant with the training standards of the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC). All of the proposed short courses are in compliance with South African industry standards, being aligned to NQF unit standards. In addition, these short courses have full formal recognition by Wits University and will receive Wits certificates of competence if they pass the course. COURSE Introduction to Interpreting Skills 19 June 15 August 9 September 22 October Liaison Interpreting in Specific Contexts* 1 July 20 August FEE 10 NQF grading and quality assurance All short course certificates indicate the NQF grading on the back of each certificate, as well as the course outcomes and the formative and summative 4
assessment requirements. The pre-course assessment of participants prior to each course ensures that students are studying at the correct level, and ensures that the standard of students exiting each course is high. The interpreting competence of all trainees will be assessed by interpreters with extensive practical experience in their language combination. 11 Included in training fees The fee structure quoted reflects the actual cost for the provision of the training, including training material, training fees, course packs, certificates, 8 days per course of intensive contact teaching and 1 day for examinations as well as ongoing distance training during the training period. There is a cafeteria on-site at the Wits Language School in Johannesburg which supplies tea, coffee and lunches for the participants own account. Fees exclude ICAM card fees for entrance onto Wits Campus and library access fees, both of which are optional. Fees are payable in advance and exclude VAT. 12 Registration requirements In order for your registration to be successful, please supply the following: Separate signed registration form for each course for which you wish to register, specifying the name of the course and your language combination Copy of ID or passport Grade 12 certificate or equivalent Proof of payment for these courses E-mail these documents to wls@wits.ac.za or fax to email to: 0865795933. Our banking details are as follows: Bank: FNB (First Rand Bank Limited) Account Name: FNB-Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education Account number: 62150130575 Branch Name: Corporate Account Services, Johannesburg REFERENCE: 4456 Surname/company name Please Note: The reference number must be quoted on all payments. Booking your place for your course: Note that there are limited places available for each course. When we receive your signed registration form and proof of payment (scanned and emailed to wls@wits.ac.za or faxed to 0865795933), we will book you a place on the course specified. Your registration will only be confirmed when we have received proof of payment. 5
Contact Us Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions. Eugene Mathey Ms Khanya Mncube Lecturer and course administrator: Administration Diploma in Legal interpreting Wits Language School Wits Language School Tel: (011) 717-3756 University of the Witwatersrand Fax: 0865795933 Tel: (011) 717-3770/ Cell: 082 613 5359 Email: Nokukhanya.Mncube@wits.ac.za Email: Eugene.Mathey@wits.ac.za Dr Kim Wallmach Head: Translation and Interpreting Wits Language School Tel: (011) 717-3771/ Cell: 082 922 5621 Email: Kim.Wallmach@wits.ac.za 6