The Interpreter’s Lab announces the launch of an online course to help

Punjabi and Hindi speakers become interpreters

Surrey, BC – Due to the pandemic, many businesses have closed their doors and faced significant changes in the world of business, however remote interpreting services have remained essential for people with limited English – during COVID-19 and beyond.

The Interpreter’s Lab provides quality interpreter education and professional development. Based in British Columbia, The Interpreter’s Lab courses are aimed at interpreters wanting to specialize in community, legal, healthcare and mental health care. Founder and Director Angela Sasso established The Interpreter’s Lab in 2012. Sasso is a veteran educator dedicated to equitable and quality language services.

Research has shown that professional interpreters facilitate vital and effective communication as some groups of people are at increased risk due to their limited language proficiency. “Trends also indicate employment of interpreters are growing at a much faster rate than the average for all occupations,” says Angela Sasso, of The Interpreter’s Lab. Employment growth reflects increasing globalization and a more diverse Canadian population creating more need for the quality language services that interpreters and translators provide. “Amid the global health crisis, this year has also seen an increase in many organizations adding video remote interpretation to their language services,” says Archana Chauhan, a multilingual Interpreter and an Instructor with The Interpreter’s Lab.

Interpreting in Community Settings is a foundational skills course now being offered in a special bilingual program to Punjabi and Hindi speakers wanting to become interpreters. This short, online program covers core skills and competencies required of interpreters including notetaking and listening skills, consecutive interpreting practice, ethics and standards of practice, interpreting protocols and more. The course, which includes live, virtual classroom instruction, will teach participants to work in a range of settings and government services while preparing them to take the CTTIC exam to become a Certified Community Interpreter. The course involves 20 hours of online instruction, plus additional self-directed course materials and runs from April 28 – May 15, 2021. For more information and to register visit, https://www.interpreterslab.org/interpreter-training/interpreting-in-community-settings/