Initial Interpreter Training

Initial Telephone Interpreter Training

Language Empire has a 2-week new hire orientation process for its interpreters.

During these two weeks, new hires undergo orientation training, job shadowing with senior interpreters, service observation and feedback, Including a Question-and-Answer Session at the end of the second week.

Prior to orientation, all new hires receive training materials including an orientation handbook, glossaries of industry-specific terminology, and various documents to support interpretation. During the orientation training, the following will be covered:

The basics of interpretation
The role of an interpreter and the Interpreter Code of Ethics. Confidentiality is emphasized and each interpreter is required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement, which is witnessed and kept on file.
Methods and Procedures of call handling, Personnel Guide, and other administrative matters
Interpreting skills and customer service skills
Review of industry standards. Interpreters listen to scenarios of typical interpretation calls in the following areas: Medical (ER, Clinical), Public, State and Federal programs and offices, Insurance, 911, Utilities, Court, Finance, etc.

Participants are taught the different requirements and standards for each of these industries and discuss the challenges and terminology of these industries. New hires also job shadow senior interpreters and discuss their learning with the Orientation Trainer. Specifically terminology related to different state offices and department’s services are discussed:

New hires also listen to different interpretation scenarios that have been simulated and pre-recorded.
Every new hire is assigned to a Senior Language Specialist (SLS) who will then provide hands-on one-on-one training.

The SLSs are senior interpreters with extensive education and experience in the interpretation field. Each SLS works with a group of 7-15 interpreters. The SLS will not only share his or her skills and experience with the new hire, but will also observe the new hire during a call and provide immediate feedback and coaching. Usually feedback is given to new hires within the same day of the observation, no later than the next business day, to help new hires build up skills and confidence, identify improvement areas, and offer guidance. During this period, new hires also have access to an SLS who is available to answer any questions on interpretation and work procedures. At the end of the second week, a Question and Answer Session is conducted to address any additional concerns.

Interpreter Service Delivery I

All Language Empire interpreters must attend an Orientation prior to taking Interpreter Service Delivery I They must preregister for this four hours class, Interpreter Service Delivery I is a more in-depth look at the skills needed for an interpreters including interpreting procedures, needed skills and knowledge, memorization techniques, interpreting modes and interpreting roles. They also go over Ethical Codes, error analysis and do basic interpreter exercises.

Interpreter Service Delivery II

All Language Empire interpreters must attend Service Delivery I prior to taking this training. They must also preregister for this four hour class. During this class they discuss ethics in interpreting and how to handle difficult situations. They also learn how to interpret culturally sensitive issues, bad news and how to deal with other parties’ emotions. It gives them a good overview of the best and the worst interpreting situations and telephone interpretation role playing. Further profession development is also discussed.


	Initial Telephone Interpreter Training Language Empire has a 2-week new hire orientation process for its interpreters. During these two weeks, new hires undergo orientation training, job shadowing with senior interpreters, service observation and feedback, Including a Question-and-Answer Session at the end of the second week. Prior to orientation, all new hires receive training materials including an orientation handbook, glossaries of industry-specific terminology, and various documents to support interpretation. During the orientation training, the following will be covered: The basics of interpretation The role of an interpreter and the Interpreter Code of Ethics. Confidentiality is emphasized and each interpreter is required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement, which is witnessed and kept on file. Methods and Procedures of call handling, Personnel Guide, and other administrative matters Interpreting skills and customer service skills Review of industry standards. Interpreters listen to scenarios of typical interpretation calls in the following areas: Medical (ER, Clinical), Public, State and Federal programs and offices, Insurance, 911, Utilities, Court, Finance, etc. Participants are taught the different requirements and standards for each of these industries and discuss the challenges and terminology of these industries. New hires also job shadow senior interpreters and discuss their learning with the Orientation Trainer. Specifically terminology related to different state offices and department’s services are discussed: New hires also listen to different interpretation scenarios that have been simulated and pre-recorded. Every new hire is assigned to a Senior Language Specialist (SLS) who will then provide hands-on one-on-one training. The SLSs are senior interpreters with extensive education and experience in the interpretation field. Each SLS works with a group of 7-15 interpreters. The SLS will not only share his or her skills and experience with the new hire, but will also observe the new hire during a call and provide immediate feedback and coaching. Usually feedback is given to new hires within the same day of the observation, no later than the next business day, to help new hires build up skills and confidence, identify improvement areas, and offer guidance. During this period, new hires also have access to an SLS who is available to answer any questions on interpretation and work procedures. At the end of the second week, a Question and Answer Session is conducted to address any additional concerns. Interpreter Service Delivery I All Language Empire interpreters must attend an Orientation prior to taking Interpreter Service Delivery I They must preregister for this four hours class, Interpreter Service Delivery I is a more in-depth look at the skills needed for an interpreters including interpreting procedures, needed skills and knowledge, memorization techniques, interpreting modes and interpreting roles. They also go over Ethical Codes, error analysis and do basic interpreter exercises. Interpreter Service Delivery II All Language Empire interpreters must attend Service Delivery I prior to taking this training. They must also preregister for this four hour class. During this class they discuss ethics in interpreting and how to handle difficult situations. They also learn how to interpret culturally sensitive issues, bad news and how to deal with other parties’ emotions. It gives them a good overview of the best and the worst interpreting situations and telephone interpretation role playing. Further profession development is also discussed.