Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting

By JANINE OGIER

THE COURSE

The Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting is the only course in New Zealand designed to prepare interpreters for work in the deaf and hearing communities.

Graduates interpret in circumstances such as educational, medical, legal and counselling situations. The main employers are the Deaf Association, educational institutes and deaf schools.

The two-year diploma programme runs over 32 weeks in two semesters between February and November at AUT in central Auckland. Classes are held once a week at the Deaf Association in Avondale.

First-year students focus on developing fluency in New Zealand sign language (NZSL). They spend at least 12 hours a week in language study and interacting with members of the deaf community.

Students cover eight theory papers on culture and issues in the deaf world to learn the dynamics of the deaf community.

Second-year students learn and practice consecutive and simultaneous interpreting, and study interpreting theory and research.

They also study papers on advanced NZSL and deaf culture, comparative analysis of English and NZSL, public speaking and interpersonal skills and interpreting in special settings.

Each theory paper involves 60 hours in the classroom and 90 hours of self-directed study, sometimes using the AUT video laboratory for rehearsals.

There's a large practical component in the course and a specific 40-hour job placement in the final semester.

Assessment varies from assignments to a formal examination or a journal requirement.

Applicants need to be able to converse comfortably in NZSL and show they have a high level of integrity.

Academic requirements include at least a NCEA minimum of 48 credits over four subjects, with a minimum of 12 credits in each subject.

Applications for the 18 places close on October 31 and candidates are notified of an interview date in November.

Course fees are $3550 annually, including GST, and about $1200 each year is required for additional expenses to cover course-related materials and class trips.

Further study involves switching to a Bachelor of Arts or Master of Arts majoring in language studies.

WHAT GRADUATES THINK


Jeremy Borland, 23

Sign language interpreter

Kelston Deaf Education Centre

Auckland

Graduated 2002

"I have a deaf sister Talitha so I grew up signing. I did some informal interpreting for her and found out you could do it professionally.

"The first year at AUT was spent getting a good depth in sign language and all the technical words. The second year teaches the art of interpreting and how to restructure a sentence from English into sign language and vice versa. The weighting in the second year is on practical work, which is good.

"Every day at work I am using different things we were taught such as memory retention, translation skills, and the ethical training - how far you can go personally and how much you have to stay the invisible communication facilitator.

"The calibre of the lecturers for the interpreting component was excellent.

"It was also invaluable to hear what deaf visitors had to say about the signing service and getting used to a range of signing styles."


WHAT EMPLOYERS THINK


David Foster

Chief executive

Kelston Deaf Education Centre

Auckland

"We make the diploma a prerequisite for employment because the role of the interpreter is a very specialised one with responsibility for facilitating and being part of the communication between deaf and hearing.

"It relies on very accurate exchange of information, which is often at quite a demanding language register with complicated concepts or processes that need to be discussed. We simply can't afford for the communication to be poor.

"We are happy with the quality of the graduates. But like any new profession, as you become involved and more experienced in what you are doing your standards improve. I believe there is a shortage of interpreters. Most interpreters, as far as I am aware as a potential employer, have all the work they can handle.

"The demand for interpreters will be fuelled by passage of the New Zealand Sign Language Bill into law by Parliament, which will make NZSL the country's third official language."

Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting

Auckland University of Technology

Phone: 917 9999



Email: languages@aut.ac.nz