Designed for self-starters, Stepping Stones for Novice Interpreters is a self-directed track designed to support people seeking credentials as they enter the field of interpreting. Courses will be provided in Canvas Learning Management system.
Interested in your own copy?
If you are involved with an agency or interpreter education program and would like to have your own copy of any of these courses, please contact Jenny Smith-Hastings. We can discuss the best way to share these resources with you.
Schedule for Year 4 of Grant
(October 2024 – September 2025)
| MONTH | COURSE | ASL DESCRIPTION | ENGLISH DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | Step by Step: Effective Skill-Focused Practice for Novice Interpreters | In this course, you’ll learn about characteristics of effective skill-focused practice, do a self-check activity designed to help you identify areas for improvement related to effective practice, and then dive deeper into materials and activities designed to help you improve your practice skills & habits. | |
| Language at Work: Deliberate Practice for Novice Interpreters | Build your ASL and interpreting knowledge and skills for a variety of work settings! Interpreters work in a variety of employment settings. The way language is used will vary depending on the setting and the people involved. This online course is designed to give novice interpreters opportunities to review possible frameworks for approaching interpreting, with practical applications to work settings. | ||
| November | Preparing for Interpreter Performance Exams | This self-directed course was developed for interpreters preparing to take professional performance exams or screenings and to provide resources and tools for reflection and practice. Participants will have the opportunity to self-assess interpreting samples, reflect on performance and readiness, and apply specific practice and preparation strategies. Course contains guidance and resources to support ongoing development and preparation. | |
| Virtual Interpreter Video Excellence | In this course, you will identify what you need to know, do, and have in order to raise the standard of interpreting in a virtual setting, whether live or recorded. Created by Keri Brooks, a Deaf interpreter with CDI certification, this course centers on the perspective of Deaf interpreters while still providing essential information for all interpreters working in a virtual setting. | ||
| January | Interpreting Beyond Walls: Outdoors in a Conservation Corps | Are you interested in nature and the outdoors while building your interpreting and language skills? This course will introduce you to opportunities in Conservation Corps settings to provide access for Deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing participants and gain valuable interpreting, language, and cultural experience with people from diverse backgrounds. | |
| CASLI Exam Prep for Deaf Interpreters | Because of the changes with the CASLI testing process, this course is being revamped and will be offered again with facilitation in May. | ||
| February | Interpreting in Video Remote Settings for Novice Interpreters | This course introduces interpreters to the work of Video Remote Interpreting (VRI). Details for equipment setup and software functionality are discussed, followed by an introduction to the Role-Space Model framework. Using the Role-Space Model, participants will analyze decisions made in a recorded VRI session and then have the opportunity to practice in the same mock situation. The course emphasizes reflective practice and peer discussion. | |
| Interpreting Job Interviews | In this course, we will explore the varying structures of job interviews (e.g., one-on-one, panel, video), their characteristics, participants, and strategies to prepare for and perform interpreting work in this setting. Similar to other settings, interpreting job interviews has a real life impact on all involved. As interpreters, we influence the impression that the applicant leaves with the hiring manager and, thus, their likelihood for hire, as well as the perception the applicant may have of the job for which they are applying. Recognizing power, privilege, and systemic structure, this course aims to support interpreters’ (hearing, hard of hearing, and Deaf Interpreters) readiness for this work. | ||
| March | Ethical Decision Making for Novice Interpreters | This course is designed for ASL interpreters, Deaf and hearing, and has been created for two main purposes: 1) to prepare you for taking an ethical interpreting exam and 2) to achieve a broader view of ethics to guide your decisions on the job. This course is not meant to be comprehensive, but rather to encourage curiosity about ethics and deepen your understanding and application of ethical decision-making. One of the benefits of taking a closer look at ethics is that some of the frameworks can help you analyze the nuances of interpreting. It is our hope that you will come away from the modules in this course with an ability to apply these concepts in your real life work and on an ethics exam. | |
| Dealing with Microaggressions for Novice Interpreters | This course is designed to increase awareness of microaggressions from multiple perspectives:
Course content is amplified with videos of black/brown interpreters discussing their experiences and sharing personal stories to provide other black/brown interpreters meaningful opportunities for connection, reflection, and empowerment. Content and case studies are also shared to support learning and deeper understanding for interpreters who do not identify as black or brown, including strategies to address intentional and/or accidental microaggression occurring during professional practice. |
||
| April | Reflective Self-Assessment for Novice Interpreters | This course is designed to encourage thoughtful work production as well as ongoing reflection and evaluation of factors influencing interpreting decisions. Participants in this course will each begin by individually interpreting a source text. They will then examine the interpretation they created and reflect upon their work using categories adapted from the Interpreting Performance Assessment Rubric (TIEM Center). The Interpreting Performance Assessment Rubric supports unpacking multiple aspects of the interpretation, not just language fluency or vocabulary choices. This course takes an additional step in examining interpretation and reflection by sharing the interpretations of this same source text by a group of expert interpreters who, similarly to this course format, had opportunities to reflect upon their work. Finally, participants can apply their discoveries to a personal professional development plan, including application of the reflective practice to other interpreting samples. | |
| Business Practices for Novice Interpreters | Business Practices for Novice Interpreters offers an introduction to strategies and skills necessary for success in the field of interpreting. Designed specifically for novice interpreters, this 10-hour asynchronous course can provide practical knowledge and tools to navigate the business side of interpreting. Through a combination of instructional modules, case studies, and practical exercises, participants will gain insights into record-keeping, setting rates, professional identity, liability, professional development, and fostering strong networks within both the professional and Deaf communities. | ||
| May | Preparing for Interpreter Performance Exams | This self-directed course was developed for interpreters preparing to take professional performance exams or screenings and to provide resources and tools for reflection and practice. Participants will have the opportunity to self-assess interpreting samples, reflect on performance and readiness, and apply specific practice and preparation strategies. Course contains guidance and resources to support ongoing development and preparation. | |
| CASLI Exam Prep for Deaf Interpreters | Because of the changes with the CASLI testing process, this course is being revamped. An updated description will be coming by February. This course will be offered with facilitation. | ||
Year 3 Offerings
October
- Step by Step: Effective Skill-Focused Practice for Novice Interpreters
In this course, you’ll learn about characteristics of effective skill-focused practice, do a self-check activity designed to help you identify areas for improvement related to effective practice, and then dive deeper into materials and activities designed to help you improve your practice skills & habits. - Language at Work: Deliberate Practice for Novice Interpreters
Build your ASL and interpreting knowledge and skills for a variety of work settings! Interpreters work in a variety of employment settings. The way language is used will vary depending on the setting and the people involved. This online course is designed to give novice interpreters opportunities to review possible frameworks for approaching interpreting, with practical applications to work settings.
November
- Preparing for Interpreter Performance Exams
This self-directed course was developed for interpreters preparing to take professional performance exams or screenings and to provide resources and tools for reflection and practice. Participants will have the opportunity to self-assess interpreting samples, reflect on performance and readiness, and apply specific practice and preparation strategies. Course contains guidance and resources to support ongoing development and preparation. - Virtual Interpreter Video Excellence
VIDEO COMING SOON
In this course, you will identify what you need to know, do, and have in order to raise the standard of interpreting in a virtual setting, whether live or recorded. Created by Keri Brooks, a Deaf interpreter with CDI certification, this course centers on the perspective of Deaf interpreters while still providing essential information for all interpreters working in a virtual setting.
January
- Interpreting Beyond Walls: Outdoors in a Conservation Corps
Are you interested in nature and the outdoors while building your interpreting and language skills? This course will introduce you to opportunities in Conservation Corps settings to provide access for Deaf, DeafBlind and hard of hearing participants and gain valuable interpreting, language, and cultural experience with people from diverse backgrounds.
February
- Interpreting in Video Remote Settings for Novice Interpreters
This course introduces interpreters to the work of Video Remote Interpreting (VRI). Details for equipment setup and software functionality are discussed, followed by an introduction to the Role-Space Model framework. Using the Role-Space Model, participants will analyze decisions made in a recorded VRI session and then have the opportunity to practice in the same mock situation. The course emphasizes reflective practice and peer discussion. - Interpreting Job Interviews
In this course, we will explore the varying structures of job interviews (e.g., one-on-one, panel, video), their characteristics, participants, and strategies to prepare for and perform interpreting work in this setting. Similar to other settings, interpreting job interviews has a real life impact on all involved. As interpreters, we influence the impression that the applicant leaves with the hiring manager and, thus, their likelihood for hire, as well as the perception the applicant may have of the job for which they are applying. Recognizing power, privilege, and systemic structure, this course aims to support interpreters’ (hearing, hard of hearing, and Deaf Interpreters) readiness for this work.
March
- Ethical Decision Making for Novice Interpreters
This course is designed for ASL interpreters, Deaf and hearing, and has been created for two main purposes: 1) to prepare you for taking an ethical interpreting exam and 2) to achieve a broader view of ethics to guide your decisions on the job. This course is not meant to be comprehensive, but rather to encourage curiosity about ethics and deepen your understanding and application of ethical decision-making. One of the benefits of taking a closer look at ethics is that some of the frameworks can help you analyze the nuances of interpreting. It is our hope that you will come away from the modules in this course with an ability to apply these concepts in your real life work and on an ethics exam. - Dealing with Microaggressions for Novice Interpreters
April
- Reflective Self-Assessment for Novice Interpreters
This course is designed to encourage thoughtful work production as well as ongoing reflection and evaluation of factors influencing interpreting decisions. Participants in this course will each begin by individually interpreting a source text. They will then examine the interpretation they created and reflect upon their work using categories adapted from the Interpreting Performance Assessment Rubric (TIEM Center). The Interpreting Performance Assessment Rubric supports unpacking multiple aspects of the interpretation, not just language fluency or vocabulary choices. This course takes an additional step in examining interpretation and reflection by sharing the interpretations of this same source text by a group of expert interpreters who, similarly to this course format, had opportunities to reflect upon their work. Finally, participants can apply their discoveries to a personal professional development plan, including application of the reflective practice to other interpreting samples. - Business Practices for Novice Interpreters
Business Practices for Novice Interpreters offers an introduction to strategies and skills necessary for success in the field of interpreting. Designed specifically for novice interpreters, this 10-hour asynchronous course can provide practical knowledge and tools to navigate the business side of interpreting. Through a combination of instructional modules, case studies, and practical exercises, participants will gain insights into record-keeping, setting rates, professional identity, liability, professional development, and fostering strong networks within both the professional and Deaf communities.
May
- Preparing for Interpreter Performance Exams
This self-directed course was developed for interpreters preparing to take professional performance exams or screenings and to provide resources and tools for reflection and practice. Participants will have the opportunity to self-assess interpreting samples, reflect on performance and readiness, and apply specific practice and preparation strategies. Course contains guidance and resources to support ongoing development and preparation. - CASLI Exam Prep for Deaf Interpreters
This course will be revised to meet more current processes with CASLI and will be offered with facilitation by Dr. Naomi Sheneman.