Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting

Upcoming classes:
2 October 2021 - 3 July 2022 (weekends)
Face-to-face
Wimbledon, London
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Applications open now
At a glance:
  • Level 6 (RQF)
  • 2 years
  • 2 days/month
  • London
  • Level 6 BSL to RSLI
  • £3325 per year (inc VAT and exam fees)
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Course Content

Course Content

The aim of this course is to give you the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills to work as a professional sign language interpreter. You will achieve the Signature Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting qualification. This course leads to Registered Sign Language Interpreter (RSLI) status with the NRCPD. We have developed this course based on our extensive experience in the interpreting, translation and training fields. The course is made up of 360 hours of guided and independent learning spread over 2 years.

This course will take you from little or no knowledge of sign language interpreting and translation to either Registered Sign Language Interpreter (RSLI) status.

You will be able to register as a Trainee Sign Language Interpreter (TSLI) in the first year of this course (subject to you also meeting all other requirements set out by the NRCPD).

The course is delivered in an informal and relaxed environment and your teacher will use a variety of teaching and learning methods to cater for all learning styles and to meet the needs of all learners. The course is designed to be fun, engaging and meaningful and will give you the opportunity to practice your BSL and interpreting skills by means of group work, pair work, role-plays, games, presentations and discussions.



Assessment

There are total of 17 assessments for this qualification over the total 2-year duration. There are 5 assessments in year 1 and 12 assessments in year 2. All assessments in year 1 involve written coursework. In year 2, there are a total of 6x internal assessments of one-way and two-way interpreting, 4x external assessments of one-way and two-way interpreting and 2x sight translations (externally assessed). This means students are required to produce 6x evidence of real interpreting assignments in the community (some of these assessments will be conducted in the classroom). Year 1

  1. Essay (3,000 words)
  2. Business plan
  3. Glossary
  4. 4x Evidence of preparing for interpreting/translation assignments
  5. Professional Development Plan
Year 2 The assessments for Year 2 depend on the chosen stream. The assessments for stream 1 (English<>BSL interpreting) are:
  1. One-way interpreting BSL>English + critical analysis
  2. One-way interpreting English>BSL + critical analysis
  3. One-way interpreting BSL>English + critical analysis
  4. One-way interpreting English>BSL + critical analysis
  5. Two-way face-to-face interpreting + critical analysis
  6. Two-way remote interpreting + critical analysis
  7. One-way interpreting BSL>English
  8. One-way interpreting English>BSL
  9. Two-way face-to-face interpreting
  10. Two-way remote interpreting
  11. Sight translation (English>BSL)
  12. Immediate translation BSL>English)



Year 1

The first year is made up of 120 hours of guided learning hours and 120 hours of structured independent study (total 240 hours). The guided learning sessions are delivered over a Saturday and Sunday once a month over 10 months. This is followed by an additional 12 hours of structured independent study per month, which is completed through our e-learning platform.

In the first year, you will develop your knowledge, understanding and skills in the following areas:

Analyse and evaluate key theories and principles in interpreting and translation

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 and translation tasks

You will understand the importance of maintaining interpreting and language skills as a professional interpreter or translator 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/translation work.

Prepare for interpreting and translation 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/translation assignments, as well as plan and prepare for assignments as part of a team of interpreters/translators. 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). Introduction to interpreting This is a practical module where you will practise interpreting between your first and second languages. 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 interpreting and you will be taught interpreting techniques, including note-taking skills. You will practice both one-way and two-way interpreting between your L1 and L2. This module will also introduce you to some of the main domains that interpreters work in, including health, employment, education and community.



Year 2

The second year is made up of 60 hours of guided learning and 60 hours of independent study (total 120 hours). The guided learning sessions are divided into 6x 12-hour sessions on a weekend, once a month over 6 months. This is followed by an additional 6 hours of structured independent study per month, which is completed through our e-learning platform. The second year is primarily an assessment programme where you will prepare and undertake the assessments for this qualification. In the second year, you will specialise in one of the 4 streams:

  1. Spoken/signed interpreting (English<>BSL)
  2. Signed/signed interpreting (BSL<>ASL, BSL<>ISL or BSL<>LSF)
  3. Relay interpreting (BSL<>BSL)
  4. Written/signed translation (BSL<>English)
In the second year, you will develop your knowledge, understanding and skills in the following areas: Carry out interpreting tasks as a professional interpreter or translator 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 and translators This module will give you the knowledge and skills to work effectively as part of a team of interpreters and translators. 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. Use technology effectively to perform remote interpreting assignments 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. Carry out translation tasks as a professional translator You will learn about the situations when you might be required to produce sight translations to written and signed texts. You will consider the appropriateness and feasibility of the sight translation task. 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.



Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements:

  1. Native in your first language (L1), e.g. English
  2. Level 6 qualification in your second language (L2), e.g. BSL
  3. Interview and aptitude test

Language Combinations

The Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting is available in English/BSL language combination.



Progression

Progression

After completing the Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting qualification, you will be eligible to apply for Registered Sign Language Interpreter (RSLI) and/or Registered Sign Language Translator (RSLT) status with the NRCPD and start working as a qualified sign language interpreter. You will also be eligible for full membership of the Association of Sign Language Interpreters (MASLI) and Visual Language Professionals (MVLP).



Dates/Times

Dates/Times

Interviews: 24-25 April 2021 Year 1 Saturday 12:00-18:00 and Sunday 09:00-15:00 once a month 2-3 October 2021 6-7 November 2021 4-5 December 2021 8-9 January 2022 5-6 February 2022 5-6 March 2022 2-3 April 2022 7-8 May 2022 4-5 June 2022 2-3 July 2022 Year 2 3-4 September 2022 1-2 October 2022 5-6 November 2022 3-4 December 2022 7-8 January 2023 4-5 February 2023 4-5 March 2023 1-2 April 2023



Fees

Fees

Year 1: £3325 Year 2: £3325 Monthly: £332.50 x 10 months £332.50 deposit required to reserve your place.

Fees include awarding body assessment fees and access to e-learning platform. Monthly Direct Debit payment plan comes as standard.

NB: our fees are always all-inclusive, so there are never any unexpected costs! Download Fees and Funding Guidance



Additional benefits

  • 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



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