module specification

This module aims at developing reflective interpreting practitioners who are able to use an array of key skills strategies required to perform long consecutive interpreting (6 mins) with the following language combinations:

- Non - English native students: from English (B language) into mother tongue (A language);
- English native students: from 1st passive language (C language) into English (A Language).

This is a highly practical module based on the experiential learning model. With the guidance of a team of tutors who are experienced conference interpreters, students will gradually build up the skills required to perform well in consecutive interpreting, such as:
- memory skills
- note taking skills
- communications skills (verbal and nonverbal)
- synthesising
- public speaking skills
- speech analysis
- speech writing with oral delivery
- anticipation skills
- confidence enhancement

The backdrop of the module focuses on current affairs relating to the countries that are represented by the students' national, cultural and linguistic identity. The languages offered on the course are English paired up with Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Spanish.

This diversity encourages students to get familiar with a wide range of political, societal, economic and environmental topics. They will research these topics and use them to create speeches they will use for interpreting practice. Students will develop a portfolio of practice.

Furthermore, students will use the latest technology required for note taking skills, recording audio and video materials and uploading them on their own YouTube channel. This includes technology developed to practise interpreting online (synchronous and asynchronous) individually or in groups.

Module Aims: In this module:

1. you will learn to interpret consecutively for 6 mins with notes
2. you will develop the public speaking skills relevant to the professional interpreter
3. you will learn how to make decisions fast whilst interpreting
4. you will develop a reflective approach to your own interpreting performance
5. you will get acquainted with current affairs from a wide range of countries
6. you will develop a collaborative approach to enhance deliberate interpreting practice

N/A

This highly practical module gradually engages students to identify and apply the main skills and strategies used by interpreters in performing consecutive interpreting in the module specific language combination (6 mins with notes). (LO.1; LO.2; LO.3; LO.4; LO.5; LO.6).

It starts with short interpretations from memory without notes, focusing on active listening and the development of analytical skills to identify the structure of a speech, the primary and secondary ideas, and the intention of the speaker. Students are then able to develop their memory skills and embrace more challenging speeches.(LO.1; LO.2; LO.3; LO.4;LO.5).

As speeches get longer and more complex, students identify the need for note taking skills which are introduced gradually, together with communication skills. (LO.1;LO.2; LO.3; LO.4; LO.5; LO.6)

The content of speeches is based on international current affairs that are selected by students who are encouraged to present political, societal, economic and environmental issues relating to their culture, country, nationality, language and identity. This enriching backdrop enhances the inquisitiveness of students who pursue their research on the topics that are presented in speeches; as a result students build long term general knowledge that contributes to more informed interpreting performances.(LO.1; LO.2; LO.3; LO.5; LO.6)

Students are required to practise in class regularly but also individually and in groups (language specific or mixed language groups) to make progress. Their work is collected in a portfolio of practice which is included in the assessment. It includes a reflective component whereby students record (audio, video or in writing) their feedback on their SMART objectives, which also contributes to setting some new ones. This specific work allows them to build their confidence in the technology required for interpreting. (LO.1; LO.2; LO.3; LO.4; LO.5; LO.6)

Students are encouraged to work collaboratively, online or face to face. This collaborative approach across identities and cultural differences is not only essential for their personal and professional development, but it is also essential to prepare students to confidently work with peer interpreters they don’t know during their professional life.(L.O1; LO.2; LO.3; LO.4; LO.6).

The module offers a blended learning approach. It includes face to face main classes dedicated to skills acquisition and interpreting practice. All sessions are recorded and shared for students who cannot attend and for students who wish to revisit the practice done in class.

In addition, online or face to face language specific tutorials are delivered to practise interpreting, for feedback and feedforward. The mode of delivery is decided to suit students and staff.

Furthermore, students are required to build their own portfolio of practice. On a weekly basis, students have to research current affairs, set up relevant glossaries of terminology, deliver speeches they need to record and upload for collaborative practice. They will then need to select speeches from peers to interpret, upload their interpreting practice and add on a reflective component (audio, video or in writing). This is done online, using collaborative tools and dedicated software.

Students are encouraged to practise interpreting collaboratively to encourage reflection and mutual benefit. This can be done face to face or online depending on the flexibility of students.

In addition, students have an opportunity to practise consecutive interpreting during virtual classes with partner universities across the world.

Finally, online and face to face and online practice with interpreting graduates who have joined the Ambassadors Scheme for Interpreting Studies at London Met takes place on a regular basis.

By the end of this module, using the language combination adopted for the module, you will:

LO1. be familiar with and integrate the relevant consecutive interpreting skills such as note taking, memorising, synthesising, critical listening, anticipating and presentation skills to a 6 min consecutive interpreting performance;

LO2. understand the crucial role of these skills for the effective preparation and
delivery of consecutive interpreting assignments;

LO3. be able to demonstrate their competence in consecutive interpreting skills (6mins) in the context of international current affairs that cover a wide range of political, societal, economic and environmental trends approached during the module.

LO4. adopt a reflective approach to the interpreting performance for self or peer assessment.

LO5. have developed confidence in building skills, making decisions during interpreting practice, and in the development of deliberate practice.

LO6.  have developed confidence in using the new technologies and equipment required to perform consecutive interpreting online and face to face; this includes the technology that facilitates the interpreting process.

The assessment includes two assessment components.

One is formative and encourages students to regularly practise interpreting, reflect on their performance, research current affairs and practise public speaking skills with speeches they have to write and construct. This weekly guided practice provides flexibility to students who can choose the topics they work on, the speeches they write, and the speeches they interpret. This weekly activity forms the portfolio of practice which will be assessed in week 15. It will be marked as a pass or fail. To pass, students will have to demonstrate their weekly assigned and independent practice which includes a reflective component.

The second component is summative. It is aligned with the professional assignment for interpreters with international institutions. This assessment component not only provides an insight on the professional skills, techniques, knowledge and decision making of the interpreter, it also prepares students to take the accreditation tests with international institutions. The assessment is a 6mn consecutive interpretation with notes. The speech they will interpret is based on the current affairs explored during the module.

To pass, students will have to demonstrate they are able to understand and analyse the source speech, interpret accurately with confidence and make sense. They will have to demonstrate they are making the relevant decisions when using their memory skills combined with their note taking skills. Finally, they will have to demonstrate appropriate communication skills that reflect the intentions of the speaker. They will need to communicate clearly and effectively so they are understood easily.

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