Community Interpreting
Fully Virtual 40-hour Community Interpreting Training
This course is geared towards novice interpreters, individuals who may currently provide interpretation but have no formal training in interpreting protocol and standards of practice, and bilingual individuals. You will walk away with a certificate for completing a 40-hour Community Interpreting Course. This is a first step towards National Certification.
What to expect?
This program is designed to be interactive. Students are expected to engage with the curriculum inside and outside of the virtual classroom. Please allocate at least five hours outside of the 40-hour course time for studying and homework. Detailed class expectations will be shared by the instructor at the beginning of the course. Students will be given opportunities to participate in multiple ways, whether orally or in written format, and both at the individual and group level. This course is not a lecture and active student participation in workshop activities is required. Basic computer skills are needed. The instructor will require you to use online platform features (emojis, icons, yes and no buttons, white boards, break out rooms, etc.). Ability to use word processing software (either Microsoft Word or Google Docs) and e-mail for homework submission is a must. If you require any accommodation, please discuss this with Piedmont Academy staff.
Meet Your Instructor
Mireya Pérez embarked on her career as a certified medical interpreter. Her proficiency was honed in both general and children’s hospitals, showcasing her dedication to facilitating effective communication in critical settings.
Building on her extensive experience, Mireya spent nearly a decade as a staffed interpreter in a K-12 public education school district. Here, she not only provided invaluable language support but also championed the vital role of trained interpreters in education, recognizing their impact on ensuring meaningful language access in educational settings.
Mireya has expanded her influence by taking a leadership role in training new interpreters. With a focus on nurturing talent and fostering professional growth, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of language professionals, enabling them to reach their fullest potential and contribute significantly to the interpreting industry.
What will the lessons be like?
Each session will start with a review of the previous lesson. During the session, we will unpack key concepts, strategies and engage in practical activities and scenario-based learning. Students will walk away with tools and tips to use in future interpreting sessions.
- The instructor will start each module with a review of key concepts introduced in previous modules, and will build up on those to present new information. You can expect to engage in this ‘review’ through breakout group discussions, whole class discussions, online activities, as well as online discussion forums.
- Session objectives will be shared at the beginning of each lesson, including textbook reference sections so you are clear on what you need to be able to achieve by the end of each lesson.
- A detailed Lesson Plan will be shared with students in the virtual classroom.
- Practice scenarios, skits, and other online activities are part of this interactive and engaging interpreter training curriculum.
What makes this course different?
Francisca Hoces is a Spanish consecutive remote interpreter that recently completed our Community Interpreting Course.
“How does this program differ from other trainings that I’ve been in? In other interpreter trainings that I’ve been through, they mostly shape you to the actual work that you need to get done, note-taking and whatnot, but this is different because they give you a whole background of concepts and ethics that you need to understand in order to become a better professional, and that’s what we all should strive for. I recommend this program because it is a more comprehensive approach and it helps you learn what is exactly sustaining this profession. It gives you the historical background as well and it’s overall a great comprehensive approach into what an interpreter should do and how this profession became what it is today.”
Course Attendance Requirements
Prerequisites for the course:
- At least 18 years of age
- Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
- Have a Current resume
- Proof of language proficiency in both base and target languages or;
- 4-year college degree from an accredited institution
- Have a reliable internet connection with a working laptop or computer.
- USB or Wireless headphones w/mic (strongly recommended)
Proof of Language Proficiency
Proof of language proficiency is required prior to your enrollment. Your English skills will be evaluated during a short interview with Piedmont Academy. However, you will need to provide proof of proficiency for the other language(s) that you want to interpret to/from.
You can choose from two testing providers to obtain this proof of proficiency. The maximum cost of testing is $108. You will be responsible for this expense; it is not included in the cost of the course. If you choose to enroll in Piedmont Academy’s 40-hour Community Interpreter Training course, we will send you further details on how to register for the test.
Course Fee
$400*
* This is an introductory price that is normally $650.00!
The fee includes 40 hours of online instruction with a “live” instructor and all course materials, which will be delivered electronically. At the end of the course, you will receive a certificate of completion. This course meets the 40-hour training requirement for the two U.S. national certification programs for medical interpreters: the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI) and the National Board of Certified Medical Interpreters (NBCMI). This certificate will put you one step closer to certification!