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Opleiding: MA Interpreting

Learning purpose

The MA Interpreting is aimed at:

• Chinese graduates of English who wish to become interpreters
• Practising interpreters who wish to enhance their skills
• Chinese university staff who wish to become interpreter trainers

 

 

Target audience

This masters course is designed for Chinese students and aimed at training consecutive and simultaneous interpreters. Unlike many such courses, the MA Interpreting concentrates on training interpreters and does not include translation modules. The specific cultural and language needs of Chinese graduates are addressed in the intensive Professional Enhancement module which is taught before the other modules begin. The masters course is designed to train you to the level required of a freelance interpreter by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

 

Programme

The programme consists of four 30-credit modules and one 60-credit 10,000 word dissertation

 

• Professional Enhancement the first half of the module takes place before the start of the other modules, bridging the gap between the skills and knowledge of Chinese graduates and the level at which they can undertake the interpreting modules this specially designed programme improves students' knowledge of the UK, of the English language and of subject-specific styles and vocabulary through intensive teaching and assignment-based guided learning. 
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  In the second half of the module, whilst acquiring the skills and knowledge necessary for the two main types of interpreting (consecutive and simultaneous), students acquire higher level bi-lingual skills in areas that are particularly important to Chinese interpreters. These include three major cross-cultural elements (implication, humour and proverbs) and the three key grammatical elements (tense, number and article).
  As part of this module students take the integrated work placement, which takes place over five days in an interpreting agency in London. During this period they can begin collecting data for their dissertation, and are free to undertake any external interpreting assignments they are able to arrange for themselves.
• Consecutive Interpreting the first half of this module focuses on exchanges of utterances made to convey information. Here accuracy is the most important and often the only consideration. The second half develops students' ability to deliver the speaker's intended impact and effect on an audience.
• Simultaneous Interpreting the first half of this module concentrates on techniques for conference interpreting, taught initially through sight translation. In the second half these techniques are developed further and are underpinned by extensive practice using the simultaneous interpreting suite and Black Box software. Both the Consecutive and Simultaneous Interpreting modules will also teach presentation and public speaking skills, the use of voice, stress management, professional ethics and standards and management of relationships with clients, agencies and employers
• Theories and Research in Interpreting introduces students to relevant theories and prepares them with research skills and methodologies required in their dissertation and possible further studies.
• The Dissertation gives students the opportunity to produce, under supervision, an original piece of writing consisting of a presentation of individual research on an aspect of interpreting theory or practice.

PG Dip Interpreting

Students who complete the four30-credit modules, without the dissertation module will be awarded the PG Dip Interpreting.

Assessment of students' knowledge and skills is by coursework, class tests and a 10,000-word dissertation; the integrated professional placement is assessed using forms completed by the student and employer.

 

Consecutive Interpreting (30 Credits) - Compulsory

This module trains students to perform consecutive interpreting at an advanced level. In the winter term students focus on verbal exchanges in which the main objective is to inform; at this stage accuracy of information is the predominant consideration of quality. In the spring term students focus on delivering the speaker s intended impact and effect on the audience: students learn to reproduce the same effect of the source language in the target language, in addition to achieving accuracy of information. Professional and ethical aspects of interpreting are taught as an integrated part of the module.

Dissertation (60 Credits) - Compulsory

Production of an original, sustained piece of writing of 10,000 words consisting of a presentation of individual research on an aspect of interpreting theory or practice.

Professional Enhancement (30 Credits) - Compulsory

To develop students degree-level knowledge and bilingual skills to a point where they can undertake advanced education/training in interpreting, and to familiarise students with the professional environment of the interpreter.

Simultaneous Interpreting (30 Credits) - Compulsory

This module trains students to undertake simultaneous interpreting at entry level. In the winter term students focus on sight-interpreting and on fast conversion between English and Chinese; in the spring term they progress to practising in interpreting booths in simulated conferences. Professional and ethical aspects of interpreting are taught as an integrated part of the module.

Theory and Research in Interpreting (30 Credits) - Compulsory

This module will equip students with knowledge of theories and research in interpreting from the West and from Greater China. It will also provide students with a knowledge of the research methodologies required for their MA dissertation and further studies in the future.

 

Entry Requirements

Typical students will be graduates in English language (IELTS band 7, 600 TOEFL PB, 250 TOEFL CB or equivalent) with a good knowledge of linguistics and preferably some experience of interpreting or translating. Applicants are asked to take a translation test designed to assess applicants' aptitude for interpreting; for applicants in China the test is administered by Middlesex's office in Hong Kong. Applicants will normally be interviewed by video conferencing, telephone or face-to-face.

 

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL (paper based) 575 or TOEFL (internet based) 90 with specified minimum scores for each component.

 

 

Professional perspective and employment market

Freelance English-Chinese Conference and Business Interpreting- both Consecutive and Simultaneous

In-house interpreting in a Chinese company

Interpreter Training

 

 

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