Building student confidence in simultaneous interpretation

Building Student Confidence in simultaneous interpretation

Building Student Confidence in simultaneous interpretation? Practicing in real-life situations in conference interpretation is an effective way for students to apply what they have learned in our training courses and gain practical experience. That is why Professor Martin Soriano has been coaching students of interpretation in dummy booths.

A dummy booth is a real interpreting booth in a meeting room but which is not being used by the interpreters during that meeting, and in which student interpreters may sit and listen to the meeting, or practice their interpreting in a realistic environment.

Succeed at practicing in real-life simultaneous interpretations!

  1. Enhance learning: When students practice what they have learned in real-life situations, they are better able to understand and retain the information. This is because they are actively engaging with the material and applying it to real-world scenarios, which reinforces their learning.
  2. Develop skills: Real-life situations provide an opportunity for students to develop practical skills that are necessary for their future careers. For example, conferences in silent booths will help students develop skills such as communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
  3. Build confidence: Practicing in real-life situations can help students build confidence in their abilities. When they are able to apply what they have learned in a real-world setting and see positive results, they are more likely to feel confident in their skills and knowledge.
  4. Prepare for the future: Practicing in real-life situations helps students prepare for their future careers by giving them a taste of what they can expect in their chosen field. This can help them make informed decisions about their career paths and give them an advantage when taking assignments.
  5. Preparation: Junior interpreters start learning how they should prepare material and background knowledge that will help them interpret speeches more effectively. We tell students who is chairing the meeting, to get the agenda, the minutes of the last meeting, get a list of participants, read around the subject for half an hour on the internet (the press, NGO websites, etc).

Building student confidence in simultaneous interpretation with silent booths

Practicing in silent booths is a common way for junior interpreters to gain experience and improve their skills. Here are some benefits of practicing in silent booths:

  1. Focus on skills: When practicing in a silent booth, junior interpreters can focus on developing their interpreting skills without the distractions of a live event. This allows them to hone their skills in a controlled environment and work on specific areas that need improvement. We ask students to take 15-20 minutes to listen their way into the meeting, in this way they can pick up some terminology, get used to the speakers and the atmosphere. Then start interpreting. 
  2. Reduce pressure: Practicing in a silent booth can help reduce the pressure that junior interpreters may feel when interpreting in a live event. This can help them feel more confident in their abilities and better prepared for future interpreting assignments.
  3. Receive feedback: Practicing in a silent booth allows junior interpreters to receive feedback from experienced interpreters and language instructors. This feedback can help them identify areas for improvement and make adjustments to their interpreting techniques. When listening to a colleague, or getting feedback from them, be aware of the difference between the one-off corrections and the more fundamental issues of interpreting technique that if corrected will serve you again and again in the future. Concentrate your efforts on improving the latter.
  4. Build experience: Practicing in a silent booth is a valuable way for junior interpreters to build experience before interpreting in live events. This can help them feel more comfortable and confident when interpreting in real-life situations.

    Help from senior interpreters

    When a senior interpreter helps a junior interpreter with their interpretation, it can be a valuable learning experience for both interpreters. Here are some benefits of this type of collaboration:

    Building student confidence in simultaneous interpretation
    1. Improved accuracy: When a senior interpreter helps a junior interpreter with their interpretation, they can help identify and correct errors or misunderstandings. This can improve the accuracy of the interpretation and ensure that the message is communicated correctly.
    2. Enhanced skills: Working with a senior interpreter can help a junior interpreter enhance their skills by learning new techniques and approaches. They can also receive feedback on their strengths and weaknesses, which can help students improve their interpreting skills.
    3. Increased confidence: When a junior interpreter receives support and guidance from a senior interpreter, it can help them feel more confident in their abilities. This can lead to improved performance and better outcomes when interpreting in live events.
      • Professional development: Collaborating with a senior interpreter can be a valuable professional development opportunity for a junior interpreter. They can learn from the senior interpreter’s experience and gain insights into the interpreting profession.

      Overall, when a senior interpreter helps a junior interpreter with their interpretation, it can lead to improved accuracy, enhanced skills, increased confidence, and professional development for both interpreters.

      Ver más información en IATI y en Martin Soriano o en el resto del Blog o en AIIC. ¿Te inscribiste en los cursos del 2023?

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