Language Empire’s Telephone Interpreter Selection Process
All potential interpreter resumes are screened for interpretation training and/or experience, general education and related work experience by recruiters with extensive interpretation experience. The candidates then attend an informational teleconference session about the general terms and conditions of performing over-the-phone interpretation for Language Empire. In the next phase, candidates are given a self-assessment exercise by a recruiter, for both the candidate and the recruiter to assess the basic interpretation skills of the candidate.
The recruiter then administers a preliminary test, using an interview format to assess the candidate’s language skills, and to validate his or her interpretation experience and training and other interpretation-related experiences listed on the candidate’s resume. At this point, if the recruiter determines that the candidate has the required skills, the candidate takes a formal test – the Interpreter Skills Assessment (ISA). The ISA is a criterion-referenced integrative test given in a realistic setting. The ISA is designed to test bi-directional, consecutive interpretation skills. The assessment consists of role-play situations that are illustrative of the type of situations an interpreter may be asked to interpret. Each candidate interprets two role-plays, one focusing on the Government and Utility industries, and the other on the Health Care Industry. The test takes approximately 90 minutes. The ISA is evaluated by both an objective scoring method and a subjective assessment, with an emphasis on the objective score. The following indicates the specific criteria used to evaluate the candidates. The scoring system consists of two areas: 1) An objective assessment which evaluates: a) The percentage of the specific field-related terminology outlined in the test; b) The number of significant errors (which significantly alter the meaning, thereby rendering a different message altogether), c) Omissions or additions. 2) A subjective assessment uses a grading scale with a holistic approach, which considers: a) Less significant errors, b) Register (conservation of style); c) Customer service skills, d) Communicative skills (skills and resources necessary to negotiate for meaning in a clear and concise manner); e) Interpretation style (enunciation, intonation, stress, pronunciation, professional demeanor); f) Ability to follow instructions g) Listening and retention skills On an average Language Empire Services retains the services of approximately 15% of the candidates who send their resumes to us. A recent random study indicated that the average score of those who passed the ISA and were hired by Generally speaking, our average new interpreter has a minimum of two years of professional interpretation experience in addition to formal training. However, even though candidates may come to Language Empire Services with previous experience, we still require them to go through our testing and training processes. This is because currently there are no standards in the interpretation community and we have found that, for the purpose of over-the-phone interpretation, our internally developed standards have been more consistent and useful than most external certifications. Currently, a myriad of community colleges and universities offer their own version of “certifications,” the quality of which varies as much as their number. There are two graduate schools that offer MA degrees in Translation and Interpretation, mostly tailored towards technical translation and conference interpretation, and a few undergraduate programs offer BA degrees in Translation or Interpretation. At this time, we only waive our testing for Federally Certified and California Court Certified interpreters; but once they are hired, they go through our orientation and training programs as all other interpreters do. Due to the fact that the capability to perform quality interpretation is an added skill to merely being bilingual, we feel very strongly that the only manner in which we can ascertain that a candidate can provide quality interpretation is to assess their performance on actual contextual interpretation. Our Interpreter Skills Assessment (ISA) test does just that. All Language Empire interpreters are expected to sign and adhere to the Interpreter Code of Ethics as follows: • The interpreter shall render a complete and accurate interpretation • The interpreter shall remain impartial • The interpreter shall maintain confidentiality of all assignments • The interpreter shall confine him/herself to the role of interpreting • The interpreter shall be culturally sensitive Telephone Interpreter Qualifications Interpreters To ensure consistency of service, the recruitment and training standards at Language Empire are high. New applicants are rigorously screened, both orally and in writing. Once recruited, all interpreters undergo an intensive induction program. Particular emphasis is placed on the requirements of our Code of Ethics and the development of the skills required working effectively as a telephone interpreter. Our on-going training gives interpreters a more comprehensive understanding of language requirements in particular environments. Each interpreter has to complete a minimum of three training sessions a year, to refresh their basic skills and build their knowledge of different industries. If possible, we like our customers to supply us with a vocabulary list of the most used terms and jargon particular to its’ industry. This list is then sent to all our interpreters so they can familiarise themselves with the vocabulary. Knowing an industry specific jargon ultimately decreases the interpretation time and decreases your cost. The skills required to become a Language Empire Telephone interpreter are: • Knowledge of the general subject of the speeches that are to be interpreted. DPSI (Oral and Written) DPSI Oral only Interpreting & Translation Diploma in Interpreting & Translating Interpreting in Health and Social Care Introduction to Public Service Interpreting Open University Interpreting Course UK Lang Related Degree with interpreting component. Certificate in Professional Interpreting Metropolitan Police Test (including simultaneous interpretation Home Office Approved and Assessed Interpreter City & Guilds Interpreting Course AIT Assessment (formerly IAA assessment) IND Assessment (Home Office) |