core interpreter training course 2024/2025
This entry-level course is designed for individuals, who are fully bilingual in English and at least one other language and who wish to work as freelance Community Language Interpreters in the legal, healthcare, and social services sectors, including for victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking.
This course will provide you with the skills and tools to start your freelance career as a community language interpreter. Successful completion of the Core Interpreter Training course along with passing a language skills assessment (ILSAT/CILISAT) will make you a professional interpreter qualified to work anywhere in Ontario.
Students will be taught core interpreter competencies, providing them with knowledge, skills development, and practical application so they can successfully provide consecutive interpretation for service providers and their clients in a variety of settings, contexts, and modes of interpretation.
Topic areas covered include:
Fundamentals of Learning Interpretation
Interpreting in Legal Settings
Interpreting in Healthcare and Medical Settings
Interpreting in Community and Social Service Settings
Interpreter’s Self Care and Safety
The training curriculum is delivered under the auspices of the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development and in partnership with:
Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre
Thunder Bay Counselling’s PAR program
Victim/Witness Assistance Program, Ministry of Attorney General
TRAINING FORMAT:
Online instructor-led classes and small group practices
Guided field trip to Thunder Bay Courthouse
COURSE DETAILS:
Fee: $100.00 plus HST = $113.00 (does not include ILSAT/CILISAT test fee or Vulnerable Sector Police Check fee)
Duration: 90-120 hours over the course of 12 weeks
Weekly time commitment: approximately 10-15 hours per week (includes class time, small group practices, field trip, homework and study time)
Course Dates:
Classes run from October 1, 2024 until January 7, 2025 followed by post-course evaluation
Instructor-led classes are scheduled from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
There will be no classes on October 8th, or December 24th or 31st.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Full proficiency in English and at least one other language (listening, speaking, reading, and writing)
Access to computer and internet
Basic computer knowledge
Familiarity with video platforms (E.g. Zoom)
Submission of negative Vulnerable Sector Police Check by September 24, 2024
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
At this time, we are only able to accept payment by cash, personal cheque, or money order.
*Due to limited space, priority will be given to local applicants, particularly women and individuals fluent in high demand languages who, after an interview, are accepted into the training course.
Questions? Please contact Terril Chessell, Language Interpreter Services Coordinator at 807-345-0551 or by email at terrilc@thunderbay.org.
Disclaimer:
Your potential to receive interpreter work will depend upon several factors including demand for your language(s), your level of training, ILSAT/CILISAT certification, and any additional credentials or experience you may have, and how well you market your services. Therefore, successful completion of this course alone cannot guarantee you work. However, it will provide you with what you need to get started!
