Equal Footing through SWITS

Apply today to see if you meet the course prerequisites!

60-Hour Interpreter Basic Training

Equal Footing - Interpreter Training

Cost: $600

SWITS, Ltd. is pleased to announce open registration for a course focused on critical concepts for interpreting in medical, legal, and community settings. Equal Footing for Limited English Proficient Persons is a training seminar developed by instructor, Saul Arteaga, and SWITS, Ltd. It provides participants with valuable information regarding the interpreting profession and allows participants to practice interpreting in a learning environment.

Throughout the interactive course, participants will learn about various topics, including:

  • Modes of Interpreting
  • NCIHC Code of Ethics for Interpreters in Health Care
  • Role of the Interpreter
  • Best Practices
  • Interpreting in Different Settings
  • Managing the Interpreting Session
  • On-site, Telephone, and Video Interpreting
  • Interpreter Safety and Protocol

Additionally, course participants will be empowered with a guide to professionally approach each communicative event by observing established strategies, protocols, and codes of conduct. Participants will practice and implement interpreting techniques in small groups, listen to and critique recordings of interpreting scripts, and record and critique their own renditions. Students who complete all course requirements will receive a certificate of completion and will be prepared to sit for the IMIA national certification exam for medical interpreters.

*Note: While this course is open to speakers and interpreters in any language, the instructor is bilingual in Spanish and English. Students will be responsible for their own vocabulary development in preparation for any certification exams. The course will be taught in English and all students must demonstrate English language proficiency and proficiency in one other language.

Prerequisites

 Students must meet the following 3 requirements for admission.

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Provide proof of High School diploma (or equivalent) or a higher degree
  • Provide proof of competency in English AND at least one other language through one of the following for each language:
    – CV with verifiable work experience of at least 5 years
    – Degree from a higher education institution where the main language is spoken
    – Graduation from high school where the main language of the country is used for instruction
    – ACTFL Oral Exams (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages): Advanced Mid-Level
    – BEST Plus computer-adaptive assessment: High Intermediate or above.
    – CAE (Certificate in Advanced English, Level 4): B
    – COPI (Computerized Oral Proficiency Instrument) based on ACTFL rating (Advanced Mid-Level)
    – CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English, Level 5): B
    – ECPE (Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English): PASS
    – ELPT (English Language Proficiency Test): 950+
    – FCE (First Certificate in English, Level 3): A
    – IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 7.0+
    – MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) 80+
    – TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): 570+ on paper; 230+ computer version; 90+ on iBT.
    – Validated language exam equivalent to ILR2 or higher.


Note: Minority languages that cannot be easily tested will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please provide as much documentation as possible regarding linguistic competency to facilitate acceptance into the program.

Equal Footing Application

*Once you submit your application, and have been approved, you will be contacted for payment.
*Payment must be made 2 weeks before seminar begins.

  • Accepted file types: pdf, jpg, png, Max. file size: 50 MB.
  • Accepted file types: pdf, jpg, png, Max. file size: 50 MB.