Metropolitan Community College

COURSE OUTLINE FORM

(Page 1 of 3)

Course Title: Introduction to Language Interpretation

Course Prefix & No.: LEC: LAB: Credit Hours:
LANG 1110 4.5 0 4.5

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The first in a series of online interpreter training courses, this course provides a general introduction to the
profession of oral language interpreting. Topics include communication theory, language register, modes of
interpretation, and the multicultural workplace. Through interactive exercises, students gain an understanding
of the profession to support them in more specialized study of language interpreting. Bilingual skills are not
needed for this introductory course.

COURSE PREREQUISITE (S): none

RATIONALE:
An understanding of the aforementioned topics provides participants with a foundation upon which to build
their skills as interpreters. Students gain a fundamental understanding of the field of oral language interpretation
that will equip them to continue
     

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK (S) and/or MATERIALS:

Title: Online materials will be provided.      

Edition:      
Author:      
Publisher:      
Materials:
Attached course outline written by: Kelly Varguez Date: April 22, 2010
Reviewed/Revised by:       Date:      
Effective quarter of course outline: Fall 2010 Date:      
Academic Dean: Tom McDonnell      Date:      7/13/2011

Course Objectives, Topical Unit Outlines, and Unit Objectives must be attached to this form.

AAO Revised 3-13-01

 Metropolitan Community College

COURSE OUTLINE FORM

(Page 2 of 3)

TITLE: Introduction to Interpreting PREFIX/NO: LANG 1110

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Students in this course will
1. Define key terminology.
2. Identify modes of interpretation and language register employed in common situations.
3. Analyze the impact of culture on communication.
4. Compare common roles of the interpreter.
5. Evaluate present bilingual and interpreting skills.
6. Design a personal plan for language improvement and advancement in interpreting skills.

TOPICAL UNIT OUTLINE/UNIT OBJECTIVES:

Unit One (Modules 1,2 and 3): What is Interpreting?; Students will
 Define oral language interpretation
 Explain the communicative process
 Identify factors that influence the communicative process
 Use different language registers to describe the same topic

Unit Two (Modules 4,5 and 6): The Multicultural Workplace; Students will
 Define culture and its components
 Discuss the stages of intercultural competence
 Identify the stages of culture shock
 Analyze cultural components at play in workplace situations

Unit Three (Modules 7 and 8): Roles of the Interpreter; Students will
 Identify philosophy of interpretation demonstrated in example scripts
 Compare and contrast various roles of interpreter

Unit Four (Modules 9 and 10): Skills Evaluation; Students will

 Identify mode of interpretation required in sample situations
 Evaluate language skills in L1 and L2 if bilingual
 Evaluate performance on simulation activities for each mode of interpretation

Unit Five (Module 11): Personal Plan for Advancement; Students will
 List common techniques used to improve bilingual and interpretation skills
 Design a plan of improvement that reflects present level of bilingual and interpretation skills and
describes strategies that will be used to improve

AAO Revised 3-13-01

 Metropolitan Community College

COURSE OUTLINE FORM

(Page 3 of 3)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS/EVALUATION:
Students will complete terminology quizzes and final exam
Students will complete all reflections on readings and post responses to all discussion questions and classmate
postings.
Students will complete self-evaluation of skills.
Students will complete a final project that rates their skills and details a future plan for improvement
COURSE OBJECTIVES/ASSESSMENT MEASURES

COURSE OBJECTIVES ASSESSMENT MEASURES

1. Define key terminology. 1. Students will complete unit quizzes and final
terminology exam on key terms.
           

2. Identify modes of interpretation and language 2. Students will reflect on assigned readings about
register employed in common situations. modes of interpretation and language register and
      participate in online discussions of the topic.

3. Analyze impact of culture on communication 3. Students will reflect on assigned readings about
culture and script responses to situations of cultural
conflict in the workplace.

4. Compare common roles of the interpreter. 4. Students will reflect on assigned readings about
      interpreter roles and participate in online discussions
of the topic.
     

5. Evaluate present bilingual and interpreting skills.
     
6. Design a personal plan for language improvement
and advancement in interpreting skills.
     
5. Students will complete self-evaluations of
 L1 and L2 language proficiency*
 Skills in each mode of interpretation
*If students do not speak any other language,
assignment will be modified to assess A language only.
6. Students will turn in a final project that includes:
 Description of motivations for studying
interpreting
 Results of self-evaluations
 Short and long term personal goals as related to
interpreting
 A series of steps to follow to accomplish goals
 A timeline for steps

AAO Revised 3-13-01