Deaf Interpreter Development Programme

Upcoming classes:
10 September 2021 - 18 June 2023 (weekends)
Face-to-face
Wimbledon, London

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Course Content
Course Content
The Deaf Interpreter Development Programme (DIDP) course is open to deaf native and first language BSL signers who would like to pursue a career as a qualified sign language interpreter or translator. You will achieve the Signature Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting and Translation qualification. This course leads to Registered Sign Language Interpreter (RSLI) and/or Registered Sign Language Translator (RSLT) status with the NRCPD. This is currently the only course of its kind in the UK.
Year 1
You will start learning American Sign Language alongside your training as a BSL interpreter, working towards pre-intermediate level (A2).
Theories and principles in interpreting and translation studies
You will be introduced to a wide variety of key theoretical frameworks in interpreting and translation studies, such as functionalist theories, ethical models and the role of the interpreter and translator. It will introduce you to some of the current principles and issues in the public service interpreting and translation professions, with a focus on signed language interpreting and translation, and will encourage you to think critically about your own practice by applying a range of theoretical frameworks. You will also discuss ethical dilemmas that may arise during interpreting assignments.
Maintain skills and systems for interpreting tasks
You will understand the importance of maintaining interpreting and language skills as a professional interpreter and you will critically evaluate a range of systems to help you maintain your professional skills. As most sign language interpreters and translators are self-employed/freelance, you will learn about the requirements and demands of working as a freelance interpreter/translator, including practical business administration skills, the importance of maintaining good relationships with clients and how to find and charge appropriately for interpreting work.
Prepare for interpreting assignments
You will learn about the importance of preparing for interpreting assignments, applying key theories in interpreting and translation studies to plan and prepare appropriately for assignments. You will be able to assess your own ability to undertake, and accept, interpreting assignments, as well as plan and prepare for assignments as part of a team of interpreters. You will learn about the importance of maintaining a glossary for domains you regularly work in. You will critically evaluate and apply a range of preparation strategies and you will produce evidence of preparing for 4 assignments.
Plan and implement continuous professional development
You will work with your professional supervisor to plan your development points over the course of your studies. You will create, maintain and update a Professional Development Plan throughout your studies. Your plan will be informed by trends, developments and good practice in the sign language interpreting/translation profession as well as your own evaluation of your gaps in knowledge, skills and competence. You will have regular meetings with your supervisor to review your PDP (required to maintain your TSLI registration).
Consecutive and simultaneous interpreting
This is a practical module where you will practise interpreting between BSL and Modified BSL and between ASL and BSL. You will be encouraged to critically analyse your own interpreting by applying relevant theories in interpreting and translation studies. You will be introduced to consecutive and simultaneous interpreting and you will be taught interpreting techniques, including note-taking skills. You will practice both one-way and two-way interpreting, working with English, BSL and ASL. This module will also introduce you to some of the main domains that interpreters work in.
Introduction to translation
This is a practical module where you will practise translating between English and BSL. You will be encouraged to critically analyse your own translating by applying relevant theories in interpreting and translation studies. You will be introduced to text translation, sight and immediate translation, in-vision translation and subtitling.
Year 2
Intermediate American Sign Language
You will continue to develop your ASL skills towards intermediate level (B2).
Professional interpreting
This module will focus on the practical skills required for one-way and two-way consecutive and simultaneous interpreting. It will introduce you to the cognitive processes and stages of the interpreting process as well as key skills used in the field, including note taking. You are expected to practise regularly by working as a trainee interpreter and you will also receive regular formative feedback throughout the course. You will continue to have regular supervision meetings with your supervisor.
Work as part of a team of professional interpreters
This module will give you the knowledge and skills to work effectively as part of a team of interpreters. It will equip you with a range of co-working techniques, such as feeding, checking and monitoring skills, as well as strategies to work with other professionals (i.e. relay interpreters and English>BSL translators). You will consider a wide range of co-working techniques in various situations and domains, using key principles and ethical models to justify your decisions.
Remote interpreting
You will learn about the emerging field of Video Relay Interpreting (VRI) and engage critically with current debates about VRI in the sign language interpreting field. You will learn how to prepare and perform VRI assignments, including how to set up, check and monitor equipment effectively and how to manage the specific demands relating to this mode of delivery. You will also be introduced to subtitling and audiovisual translation.
Professional translation
You will carry out translations of written English texts to a professional standard, such as text translation, in-vision translation, sight translation and subtitling. You will be able to apply a wide range of interpreting and translation theories and principles to justify your translation approach and ethical decisions.
Evaluate performance as a professional interpreter
You will use a wide range of theoretical frameworks, ethical frameworks and key principles in interpreting and translation studies to critically evaluate your own interpreting performance. You will be able to justify and analyse the interpreting approach, as well as evaluate the consequences of ethical decisions made. You will also have the opportunity to engage in group reflective practice sessions. You are required to produce a critical analysis of your interpreting performance for all of the 6x internal assessments.
Assessments
Year 1 Assessments
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3,000 word essay (including in-text citations) -
Business plan (detailing systems and processes in place to do business) -
Glossary -
4x evidence of preparing for interpreting assignments, -
Professional Development Plan and reflective journals
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One-way consecutive ASL>BSL and critical analysis -
One-way consecutive BSL(M)>BSL and critical analysis -
Text translation English>BSL and critical analysis
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One-way consecutive BSL>ASL and critical analysis -
One-way simultaneous BSL>BSL(M) and critical analysis -
In-vision translation English>BSL and critical analysis
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One-way simultaneous ASL>BSL and critical analysis -
Two-way face-to-face consecutive interpreting and critical analysis -
Extended text translation English>BSL and critical analysis
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One-way simultaneous BSL>ASL and critical analysis -
Two-way face-to-face consecutive interpreting working in a team and critical analysis -
Subtitling BSL>English and critical analysis
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Two-way face-to-face interpreting (BSL/ASL) and critical analysis -
Two-way face-to-face consecutive interpreting (BSL/BSL) and critical analysis -
Live consecutive interpreting English>BSL and critical analysis
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Two-way remote interpreting (BSL/ASL) and critical analysis -
Two-way remote interpreting (BSL/BSL) and critical analysis -
Live simultaneous interpreting English>BSL and critical analysis
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One-way consecutive ASL>BSL -
One-way consecutive BSL(M)>BSL -
Live simultaneous interpreting English>BSL
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One-way consecutive BSL>ASL -
Two-way face-to-face interpreting (BSL/BSL) -
Live simultaneous interpreting English>BSL
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Two-way face-to-face interpreting (BSL/ASL) -
Two-way face-to-face interpreting (BSL/BSL) -
Text translation English>BSL
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Two-way remote interpreting (BSL/ASL) -
Two-way remote interpreting (BSL/BSL) -
Text translation English>BSL
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Sight translation English>BSL -
Immediate translation BSL>English
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements:
- Deaf native or first language BSL signer
- Level 6 BSL qualification
- Interview and skills assessment
- Good level of English (e.g. GCSE grade C, IELTS 6.0, CEFR B2)
If you do not hold any qualifications in BSL, you can complete the foundation year in order to achieve the Level 6 BSL qualification. No prior qualifications in BSL are required for entry to the foundation year, but you must be a native/first language BSL signer.
This course is not suitable for people who have learned BSL as a second language (see our Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting course).
Language Combinations
This course is available in the following language combinations:
- BSL (L1) <> ASL (L2) – Stream 2
- BSL (L1) <> LSF (L2) – Stream 2
- BSL (L1) <> ISL (L2) – Stream 2
- BSL (L1) <> Modified BSL (L1M) – Stream 3
- BSL (L1) <> English (L2) – Stream 4
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RSLIs or RSLTs wishing to retrain in another stream can apply for RPL for Year 1 and entry to Year 2.
RPL is assessed and awarded on an individual basis. Please contact us to discuss your individual circumstance.
Progression
Progression
There is a growing demand for signed/signed interpreters, relay interpreters and sign language translators.
Interpreters working between two signed languages (e.g. BSL/ASL) can find work in international conference settings (e.g. EU and UN institutions, international deaf organisations), as well as community settings (e.g. deaf community events and conferences, working with foreign deaf nationals in the public services, working with deaf professionals abroad etc.).
In particular, there is a growing demand for sign language interpreters at international conferences. WFD and WASLI have an accreditation process for international sign interpreters, and qualified interpreters with two signed languages are highly sought after.
Relay interpreters often work in public service settings, e.g. police, court, mental health, child protection, DWP assessments. They often work alongside a BSL/English interpreter. The demand for relay interpreters in the public services is rapidly growing.
Sign language translators often find work in the TV and media industry, e.g. in-vision translator of TV programmes. Many sign language translators are approached by deaf and hearing organisations and public bodies (e.g. NHS) to translate written English communication materials into BSL, e.g. for social media and websites. There is a growing demand for BSL translators as organisations seek to make their content and communications accessible to the BSL community.
You will achieve the Signature Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting and Translation qualification, which allow you to apply for Registered Sign Language Interpreter (RSLI) and/or Registered Sign Language Translator (RSLT) with the NRCPD and start working as a qualified sign language interpreter and/or translator.
Dates/Times
Dates/Times
Year 1
Fees
Fees
Interview and assessment fee: £50 (non-refundable)
Additional Benefits
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Professional supervision included -
Access to therapeutic support from a qualified counsellor -
Access to Moodle: online learning resources and e-portfolio -
NRCPD TSLI and TSLT endorsement and supervision -
Professional Development Series (a series of talks delivered by experienced interpreters with expertise in particular domains) -
TOTUM student card (discounts in a wide range of shops) -
A personalised Gmail account with full Google package and 1TB of cloud storage
At a glance:
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Level 6 (RQF)
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2 years
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1 weekend/month
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Open to deaf people
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London venue
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Leads to RSLI and RSLT
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Includes ASL training
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From £2,750 per year (inc VAT and exam fees)
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