What is an interpreter?

Interpreters as facilitators of the cross cultural communication necessary in today's multicultural societies. They make possible the oral exchange between speakers of two or more different languages, and their rolo is not merely to communicate words mechanically from one language to another, but to relay concepts between languagues and cultures.  Different from translators -who converts written documents from one language into written documents in another languages-interpreters convert one spoken or written language into another spoken langueage.

Interpreters need an adequate formation that helps them to understand the subject matter in which they work and and acquire the accuracy and cultural sensitivity associated with their language of expertise. 

   
Certificate Program in Medical Interpreting 

The certificate program in Medical Interpreting at the College of Saint Mary is designed in the format of a series of four interconnected modules that cover different aspects and leveles of expertise in the area of Medical Interpreting.  Students who successfully complete these four modules will be awarded a Certificate of Medical Interpreting from the College of Saint Mary. These modules are:  

         1. Foundations in Interpreting:
 
This course is designed to give participants an understanding of the history of interpreting and the current state of the profession. At the end of the course, they will be able to identify the settings in which interpreters work as well the roles and modes required for each setting. Participants will know precisely which skills are necessary to be a successful interpreter, and understand the steps of an interpretation. 

Course includes activities and exercises that will augment critical thinking skills, intercultural sensitivity and awareness, interpersonal communication, memory, listening skills, negotiation and conflict resolution, and active vocabulary. 

This is a prerequisite for any other interpreting modules at the CTL.  
  
     2. Medical Interpreting: Musculoskeletal, Cardiovascular, and Digestive Systems

This module is designed to provide current Medical Interpreters, or persons who wish to begin a career in medical interpreting, with skills pertaining to interpreting in health care settings.  The course will present a foundation for medical interpreting ethics and an overview of the US healthcare system, familiarization with terms describing the muculoskeletal, cardiovascular and digestive systems and medical procedures in the context of real-life encounters of three persons.  

      3. Medical Interpreting: Reproductive and Respiratory Systems 
 
This module is designed to provide current Medical Interpreters, or persons who wish to begin a career in medical interpreting, with skills pertaining to interpreting in health care settings.  The course will provide a deeper overview of the US healthcare system, familiarize the students with terms describing the reproductive and respiratory systems. 

      4. Medical Terminology

This is a beginning entry-level course that will cover medical terminology commonly used in the context of health services. Study will be directed to define word parts, apply word-building rules to fomr words from suffixes, prefixes, and roots in the combining form. Students will be taught to define and use words pertaining to different body systems and used in medical areas such as oncology, radiology, nuclear medicine, pharmacology, and psychiatry.

What are the prerequisites for enrolling in the Certificate of Medical Interpreting Program at the College of Saint Mary? 

To enroll in our certificate program all students must be at least 18 years old, have a minimun of US high school diploma (or GED) and be fluent and literate in English and at least one other language. If the student is not a native English speaker, he/she should have fulfilled one of the following requirements:

* Completion of high school, udergradute, or graduate studies from a school in an English speaking country or from an American school abroad.

* One of the following tests:
      TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): 570+ on paper, 230+ on computer version.
      ELPT (English Language Proficiency Test): 950+
      Successful assessment interview with the instructor.