Liaison or Dialogue Interpreting

Want a career as an interpreter? Are you fluent in two or more languages? Perhaps you’re already working or volunteering as an interpreter and want a formal qualification?

Wits Language School, part of the University of the Witwatersrand, can help you launch or develop your career in the field of interpreting.

Wits University is the only university in South Africa that provides interpreting training at all levels, from short courses to a PhD. It doesn’t matter if you’re starting your career as an interpreter, or you simply want a professional refresher course to refine your legal interpreting skills - we can assist you.

What is liaison interpreting?The French word liaison means ‘link’, and refers to the kind of interpreting that is carried out face-to-face between a client and a professional. Liaison interpreting, also called dialogue interpreting or public service interpreting, refers to general interpreting, health care and legal interpreting, as well as interpreting for tourism and business. Liaison interpreting is normally done in the short consecutive mode or whispered simultaneous mode.

These undergraduate (NQF level 5) certificates, which emphasise professional practice, skills enhancement and ethics, will ensure that you have the skills to work effectively and professionally in a range of settings. Contact us, send us your CV, and we will assess you to determine the correct level for you.

Who are the liaison interpreting courses suitable for?For aspiring and professional liaison interpreters wishing to work in healthcare, tourism, education, counselling and in social level diplomatic contexts.

What are the entry requirements?These courses have been designed for individuals with:

• Good language skills in English (spoken and written)• 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, Arabic, Shona or Swahili

• A National Senior Certificate (Grade 12) or equivalent

• Basic computer literacy (Word, internet and email)

Students must pass an aptitude test in order to gain admission.

How are these short courses certified?Students will receive a certificate of competence at NQF level 5 (first year level) from the University of the Witwatersrand if they pass the course. No certificate of attendance will be issued.

How are the liaison interpreting courses structured?The liaison interpreting 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• Evening classes twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays,

6-8pm) for 12 weeks, followed by the examination (according to demand)

In addition to this, participants have access to an online learning platform, Edmodo, during the entire eight-week 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.

What are the liaison interpreting courses about?

Introduction to Interpreting SkillsThis course is offered at first year level (NQF level 5) and aims to:

• Equip students who have no prior formal interpreting training with basic liaison interpreting skills

• Enhance linguistic and cultural knowledge in both languages

• Improve students’ ability to reflect on the interpreting process, ethics and professional practice in the South African context

Make your languages work for you!

Expert Language SolutionsWits Language School

Contexts covered may include tourism and hospitality, healthcare, general interpreting for interpreters who accompany guests and VIPs, as well as policing contexts.

This course may be taken as a stand-alone short course, or as part of the Diploma in Legal Interpreting.

Course feeR6 850*

Liaison Interpreting in Specific ContextsThis short course is offered at first year level (NQF level 5) to participants who have passed Introduction to Interpreting Skills or equivalent; or to practitioners who have some experience in interpreting. 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.

This course may be taken as a stand-alone short course, or as part of the Diploma in Legal Interpreting.

Course feeR6 850*

Law Theory for InterpretersThis 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.

Course feeR6 850*

Introduction to Legal InterpretingThis course is offered at first year level (NQF level 5) to participants who have passed Law Theory for Interpreters or equivalent, or to practitioners who have some experience in interpreting. 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.

This course may be taken as a stand-alone short course with Law Theory for Interpreters, or as part of the Diploma in Legal Interpreting.

Course feeR6 850*

*Course fees are VAT exempt, payable in advance and include tuition, contact workshops, examination and assignment fees but exclude ICAM card fees for entrance onto Wits Campus (optional).

What are the required student numbers per course?There should be a minimum of 10 students for each course. WLS reserves the right to postpone or cancel a course should there be insufficient participants. Please check our website for any changes in course dates.

Unit Contact DetailsTel: +27 (0)11 717 3756/4208

Fax: 086 521 7332

Email: wls@wits.ac.za

Website: www.witslanguageschool.com

www.facebook.com/witslanguageschool

2014 COURSE DATESIntake 1 21 January - 19 March

Intake 2 09 July - 27 August

Intake 3 22 September - 19 November

2014 COURSE DATES23 April - 19 June

2014 COURSE DATES02 July – 18 August

2014 COURSE DATES09 September - 05 November