Univerbal Training

Skills / Learning Outcomes

As a future social interpreter, you will need to develop two skills specific to this profession, including the ability to interpret social interactions from one language to another and vice versa. This skill will always be put to use:

• By conveying the meaning of the message accurately and rigorously;
• Taking into account the interactional dynamics;
• By staying within the limits of his role.

You will develop this skill gradually throughout your training and professional experience.

Therefore, at the end of the Univerbal training program, we expect you to be able to interpret complex interactions for associations and public services that deal with procedures:

• Social (administrative, socio-professional, civic);
• Legal, related to immigration law;
• Medical;
• Psychological and medical.

In addition, with professional practice, you will gain confidence, particularly with regard to the critical learning initiated during training to develop the skill of “interpreting social interaction from one language to another and vice versa”:

• Realize the challenges of professionalizing the IMS profession.
• Adopt a focus on interlocutors in order to identify the elements that influence communication.
• Understanding the difference between the meaning of a statement and its literal interpretation.
• Be aware of the importance of preparing for the service.
• Adopt a multipartisan stance.
• Effectively acquire the additional specialized knowledge and language skills needed for interpreting by building a specialized terminology database called a “glossary.”
• Realize the importance of managing your emotions during and after the procedure.

Contents

Five modules, totaling 195 hours, will provide you with the theoretical knowledge and tools you need to perform interpreting tasks in simulated (role-playing) or real-life (internships) situations:

• Module 1: Consecutive interpreting techniques, ethics, and professional practice (50 hours).
• Module 2: Introduction to the intercultural approach (9 hours).
• Module 3: Information and terminology relating to social institutions and immigration law (31 hours).
• MModule 4: Professionalization of the interpreter and collective advocacy project (30 hours).
• Module 5: Information and terminology in the medical and mental health fields (75 hours).

Observation and guidance from experienced interpreters (internship supervisors) will enable you to familiarize yourself with the profession and progress in your career.

Seminars focusing on practical issues will help you anticipate your actions, adapt your interventions, and evaluate yourself. This attitude of self-questioning, constructive self-criticism, and constructive feedback is an essential characteristic of interpreters working in social settings. These skills will be developed throughout the training program and assessed during the final evaluation.

A specific module, “Professionalization of interpreters and collective advocacy projects,” highlights Univerbal’s commitment to the social and solidarity economy. Participants are encouraged to develop collective projects such as videos, workshops, recordings, articles, or conferences.

Teaching methods

This active training program immerses you in situations similar to those you will encounter in your future profession. You will gradually be led to perform tasks, first by observing, then by practicing in role-playing exercises, and finally in real-life situations through practical internships. You will be supported by constructive feedback and ongoing self-reflection exercises.

• PHASE 1: Observation of services provided by an experienced interpreter in a real-life situation.
• PHASE 2: Performance in simulated situations (role-playing), debriefing, viewing of performances, and analysis of strengths and areas for improvement.
• PHASE 3: Supervised practical internship.

Assessment of learning

Throughout your training, you will be asked to self-assess and identify your strengths and weaknesses. To do this, you will keep a logbook and an internship journal. You will also receive feedback from your trainers, peers, and experienced interpreters, which will help you progress.

To validate your training, you will need to perform in front of a panel in a simulated situation.