Interpreting Foundations (for English <> Spanish spoken language interpreters)

Teacher/Student ratio: Maximum 12-15 students per instructor.

Approval Letter from OHA Dated October 21, 2020

Helen Eby, owner of Gaucha Translations, taught eight sessions of medical interpreter training between 2014 and 2016. In 2020, she returns focusing on language-specific training in Spanish. Her graduates reported being well-received when they introduced themselves in job interviews, being well-prepared for assignments, and being equipped for certification exams. Some interpreting skills portions of this program are taught in person for better pedagogy. 

This program is language-specific (Spanish) and has a strong focus on all three modes of interpreting (consecutive, simultaneous and sight translation). It also covers on the spot translation.

Since not all programs cover on the spot translation or simultaneous interpreting, it could be appropriate for certified interpreters who wish to hone their skills.

This program has three components:

• Interpreting ethics. We study interpreting ethics in the context of all the areas of interpreting practice. We also cover court interpreting ethics, because interpreters practice in other fields at some point.
• Interpreting skills. We cover interpreting skills in healthcare and an introduction to legal interpreting, since interpreters who work in rural areas are often called to work in a variety of fields. The standards of accuracy are the same for both, and the risks of an inaccurate interpreting session are higher in the medical field than in the courts. Therefore, applying court interpreting accuracy standards to medical role plays is helpful.
• Terminology. We also study court terminology, since interpreters may work in more than one field. The key component of this segment of the course is terminology research.

Instructional objectives

• Develop interpreting skills for passing the oral certification exam.
• Develop personal research skills in medical terminology to prepare interpreters for passing the written certification exam.
• Learn ethical values and principles from the applicable codes of ethics in the Pacific Northwest, including the National Code of Ethics for Interpreters in Health Care, WA State Department of Health and Human Services Code of Professional Conduct for Interpreters, Translators and LAPL, the Code of Professional Responsibility for Interpreters in the Oregon Courts, and the code of ethics from the ASTM F2089 – 15 Standard Practice for Language Interpreting Code of Professional Conduct, in preparation for passing the written certification exam.
• Meet HIPAA Business Associate Certification requirements.

Health note

• Segments that can be taught online will be taught online (ethics, terminology, and some portions of interpreting skills)
• Segments that have to be taught in person will be taught in small groups, following guidelines from the Oregon Health Authority and the World Health Organization. 
• There will be no more than 12 participants per instructor. There will be enough space for participants to spread out during practice and not hear each other practice to the point of distraction. This is helpful in the context of social distancing and small group events. 
• We will attempt to practice interpreting skills using the equipment court interpreters use to get social distancing in their settings, so interpreters can explore the use of professional equipment from the first day. This consists of portable transmitters and receivers. We will also practice telephonic interpreting.

Regarding online sessions

• Attendance will be tracked through GoTo Training. Though sessions are recorded, only sessions attended in person will be counted as present.
• Participants will have access to a Slack group and an online file sharing system (Sharefile) where recordings will be shared for further reference. Listening to the recordings does not replace class participation. Sharefile is HIPAA compliant.
• There will be a 10 minute break in the middle of each online session to enhance the ability to participate. Sessions are interactive and require the participation of all attendees. They are not lectures. The instructor will note participation in Slack and in sessions on an evaluation chart.

Regarding in person sessions

• Some skills are taught in person because the instructor considers this the best way to teach skills.
• Modes of delivery of interpreting services will be explored in this training. Participants will explore the use of equipment used in court settings, their ability to interpret over the phone, and the potential use of other platforms. These issues will be explored as participants are strong in their basic skills.
• Skills will be constantly evaluated with an established rubric.

Admissions requirements

Participants must demonstrate having met language proficiency and educational requirements for Oregon Qualified Healthcare Interpreters.

Based on in-depth interactions with Language Testing International staff at conferences and ASTM meetings, Gaucha Translations recommends their services for language proficiency testing. Gaucha Translations recommends the testing process delineated in this post and requires that applicants demonstrate having met the education and language proficiency requirements for the Oregon Health Care Interpreting Program for qualification and certification before admission.

Based on experience, Gaucha Translations only accepts the following validations of language proficiency: Interpreter Certification and LTI testing at the Advanced Mid level or higher in both languages.

ADAAA accommodations

Participants who require ADAAA accommodations must contact Gaucha Translations to let the trainer know what accommodations they need. Gaucha Translations will discuss reasonable accommodations based on the facts of each situation, the resources available, and the realities of the profession.

Instruction modules

Helen Eby, Instructor

Credentials:

• Oregon Health Authority Certified Health Care Interpreter
• Oregon Court Certified Interpreter
• ATA Certified Translator (English > Spanish and Spanish > English)

Helen Eby is a member of these professional associations:

• American Translators Association  (founding leader of The Savvy Newcomer, an ATA blog that is now recognized as a go-to resource for launching a career in translation and interpreting, Administrator of the ATA Interpreters Division November 2018-November 2020, and Assistant Administrator of the ATA Spanish Division, October 2012 – October 2014)
• National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (co-chaired the Advocacy Committee in 2017)
• Oregon Society of Translators and Interpreters (founding President, 2014 to 2016)
• American Society for Testing and Materials F43 (Technical Contact for publication of Standard Guide for Quality Assurance in Translation, ASTM F2575-14, in 2014)
• Spanish Editors Association, the first association dedicated to support editors of Spanish text in the United States. Founding President.