British Sign Language Summer School (25-29 August 2023, Edinburgh campus)

Aim

This continuing professional development (CPD) course is aimed at English and British Sign Language interpreters. The course aims to develop advanced conference and high-level management interpreting skills to better represent those in leadership or senior-level positions. The course focuses on developing transferable English and British Sign Language (BSL) communication skills appropriate for conference and leadership positions.

The leadership course will develop the learner’s knowledge of Public communication strategies in English and British Sign Language

Leadership communication strategies in English and BSL

CaHLM interpreting skills

Upon successful completion of this qualification, the learner will be able to use this knowledge to interpret efficiently and effectively across CaHLM positions.

Structure

The CaHLM training is a hybrid CPD programme and structured in two parts. In order to complete this qualification, candidates must successfully complete both Part 1 and Part 2 assessments.

Block 1: Pre-recorded online video sessions, summative assessments, and self-led activities/assignments (1 day)

Block 2: On-campus sessions (4 days), with a focus on developing technical leadership and interpreting skills.

Part 1: Theories and principles of leadership and public communication strategies.

The first CPD block is an online and remote learning programme with mentoring support from HWU staff, summative assessments and essay writing. The goal of the first block is to develop transferable leadership communication strategies.

Drawing on knowledge from the Edinburgh Business School, the Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies at Heriot-Watt and the charity sector, pre-recorded lessons will cover the following themes:

Understanding public relations/communication strategies

Networking techniques

Retelling public statements

Understanding the Academic, NGO and charity sectors

Preparing and delivering a public presentation

Learning outcomes

LO1: Understanding the principles of public communication and public relations

LO2: Understanding networking techniques

LO3: Learning how to draft and prepare public statements

LO4: Learning how to draft a policy document

LO5: Understanding the requirements of the NGO and Academic sectors

LO6: Preparing for CaHLM interpreting assignments

Candidates must successfully complete Part 1 before moving on to Part 2.

Part 2: Undertaking and delivering public communication activities and undertaking CaHLM interpreting assignments

The second CPD block consists of on-campus training that covers the practical and transferable skills required for CaHLM interpreting.

Learning outcomes:

LO1: Competently and professionally deliver a presentation in English and BSL

LO2: Competently and professionally interpret in CaHLM settings

LO2: Work effectively as part of a team of professional interpreters in CaHLM settings

LO3: Use technology effectively to perform remote interpreting assignments in CaHLM settings

Objective

This qualification is suitable for those who already hold a Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting or equivalent and who are either currently working as, or are aspiring towards a career as, a professional Conference Interpreter.

At the end of the qualification candidates will be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of public and policy communication;

Demonstrate their ability to deliver leadership communication skills

Demonstrate their ability to carry out a range of CaHLM assignments to a safe and advanced professional standard;

Demonstrate their ability to work as part of a team across a range of CaHLM assignments to a safe and advanced professional standard.

Essential requirements

Candidates must:

hold a Signature Level 6 Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting or equivalent qualification; and

have a minimum of two years post-qualification experience; and

have a minimum of 1000 hours of post-qualification interpreting experience which includes at least 200 hours of conference interpreting.

This course is not suitable for beginners with less than 2 years of work experience. If you are unsure if this course is suitable for you or need to discuss the course aims and objectives with the course leader before enrolling, please contact the course leader, Dr Robert Skinner [email protected]

For general enquiries, contact Dr Khadidja Merakchi, [email protected]

Draft programme and additional information can be found here : https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/schools/social-sciences/languages-intercultural/languages-cpd.htm

Host or Publisher Heriot-Watt Languages & Intercultural Studies Department