Introduction to Public Service Interpreting
An Introduction to Public Service Interpreting
This specially designed introductory ‘short-course’ offers a solid grounding in the technical skills (note-taking, glossaries, management of interpreting exchanges, etc) and ethics (confidentiality, impartiality, etc) of public service interpreting.
This course includes an internally assessed Certificate of Interpreter Proficiency (the minimum level of professional attainment required in order to work for our Service).
Course Contents:
- Skills and qualities of the perfect public service interpreter
- Fundamental principles of interpreting
- Intervening in the interview
- Compiling a glossary
- Note-taking
- Concept of Register
- Dealing with bad language and colloquial expressions
- Ethics
- Sight translation
- Consecutive interpreting
- Impartiality
- Confidentiality
- Code of Conduct
- Further professional development
- Feedback
A Record of Success
Since HITS launched its ‘short-course’ format in 2002, over 2700 students at various locations throughout the UK have taken their first steps into professional public-service interpreting via this course.
This course is not only an entity in its own right but also a formal introduction to our full Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (DPSI) course.
Admission Guidelines
Trainees must be completely fluent and fully literate in both target languages. Speakers of languages without a written form must be literate in the relevant national language (e.g. Sylheti speakers must be able to read and write Bengali, Pakistani Punjabi speakers must be able to read and write Urdu).
- Applicants must be aged 18 or over.
- They must be both fluent and literate in English and at least one other language. All languages are welcome.
- Enthusiasm, the ability to learn, and a proven commitment to helping others is more important than formal qualifications or previous experience.
Career Progression
After completing the initial ‘short’ course and successfully undertaking an assessment of interpreter proficiency, trainees will be eligible to undertake paid sessional work for HITS on behalf of Health Trusts and Local Authorities throughout the East of England and beyond, helping people who are not fluent in English to access information and services.
For more information about our ‘short’ courses, please contact the HITS training Team on 01442 867213 or email HITSrecruit@communityactiondacorum.org.uk
Forthcoming Interpreter Training Courses
Our next Interpreter Training Course will commence on Monday, June 9th, 2025.
The course comprises 20 hours of live tuition across five days with 10 hours of additional course work to be completed outside of the publsihed schedule.
The course schedule is as follows:
| Monday, June 9th | 11.00 – 15.00 |
| Friday, June 13th | 11.00 – 15.00 |
| Monday, June 16th | 11.00 – 15.00 |
| Friday, June 20th | 11.00 – 15.00 |
| Monday, June 23rd | 11.00 – 15.00 |
Trainees are required to attend each of the five days in full.
If you would like to apply to join this course, please call our Training Department on 01442 867213 or send an email to HITSmanager@communityactiondacorum.org.uk
