Conference Interpreter Training
Conference interpreters bridge the gap between a spoken foreign source language for a native target audience. They work for government agencies, international organizations or as self-employed language professionals. Conference interpreters have opportunities for formal education programs and specialty training.
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Types
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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an aspiring conference interpreter must speak at least two languages fluently, spend time in foreign settings and have a bachelor's degree. Typical college majors are foreign languages or concentrations that develop subject-matter expertise. Conference interpreters who plan to work in technical fields benefit from graduate degrees, says the BLS.
Time Frame
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Bachelor's degree studies for conference interpreters require at least 30 credit hours of coursework in a major field of study and take approximately four years to complete. Master's degree programs typically require two years of full-time study. Undergraduate and graduate level students benefit from paid and unpaid conference interpreting internships.
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Benefits
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Some conference interpreters specialize in American sign language. Conference interpreters complete their training with certification credentials and specialty testing. The U.S. Department of State tests and employs conference-level interpreters. The International Association of Conference Interpreters and the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf provides certification for conference and sign language interpreters.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit conference image by Salem Alforaih from Fotolia.com O.K. in both American Sign Language and letters image by Steve Johnson from Fotolia.com
