Spanish / English Interpretation Certificate (Legal/Court)
Now at Cañada College!
This academic certificate program is designed to develop the interpreting skills necessary for service as a Spanish/English interpreter in public and private sectors, such as the courts, state agencies, schools, medical settings, and businesses. Designed to prepare participants to pass the State of California Court Interpreter Certification Exam, the program will train bilingual students for a well-paid, flexible, and in-demand career.
SPRING 09 classes will begin on Tuesday January 27, 2009. For more information about the classes offered in FALL 09, go to www.cel.sfsu.edu/interpretation and click on "Classes".
Upcoming Open House Events for students interested in starting in the FALL 09 semester
- Thursday, July 30 at 6:00pm in 2-10 (one floor beneath the Bookstore)
Upcoming Bilingual Exams for students interested in starting in the FALL 09 semester
- Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 10:00am - Room 2-10 (one floor beneath the Bookstore)
- Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 10:00am - Room 2-10 (one floor beneath the Bookstore)
Additional testing dates in San Francisco: TBA
Students who wish to start immediately may sign up for one of the exam dates in San Francisco, and after passing the Bilingual Entrance Exam may take the Introductory course (FL400) in San Francisco during the summer semester. Students may then transfer to Cañada College for the fall 2009 semester. NOTE: this is just an option for those who are ready to start and do not wish to wait until fall. it is not mandatory that you take summer courses. Any test you take in the summer will still be valid to start in the fall at Cañada College.
for further inquiries please contact:
Baseemah Rahman, Program Coordinator
Spanish/English Interpretation Program
brahman@sfsu.edu
(415) 817-4223
Three Steps for Admission & Registration
- Take the bilingual entrance exam
- Apply for admission
- Register for interpretation courses
To be admitted, students must pass the SF State bilingual entrance exam to demonstrate university level proficiency in Spanish and English (or have passed the state or federal written exam) AND have 56 semester units of prior college work (BA preferred).
Candidates must register in advance for the Bilingual Entrance Exam. The cost of the exam is $20.00. Register online at https://oi.sfsu.edu/cgi-bin/student/testreg.htm?testname=Canada_Bilingual
If you experience difficulty registering for the Bilingual Exam contact the Testing Center at (415) 338-2271.
How many times can I take the Bilingual Exam if i don't pass the first time?
Candidates can only take the exam a maximum of three times in a 12-month period, and can only take the test on the dates mentioned above.
For sample questions visit www.sfsu.edu/~testing/bilingual.html.
For additional study and preparation, the State practice written examination can be found at
http://www.prometric.com/California/CACourtIntPrep.htm. Once there, go to "Sample Exam (English/Spanish)."
Study resources are available at the Cañada College Library and Learning Center located in Building 9
Learning Center
Hours: Monday through Thursday 8 am to 8 pm & Friday 8 am to 3 pm
(650) 306-3348
Library
Hours: Monday through Thursday 8 am to 8 pm & Friday 8 am to 3 pm
Main phone: (650) 306-3267
Circulation Desk: (650) 306-3485
Reference Desk: (650) 306-3480
After you have been notified that you have passed the above exam, complete and return an application for admission, with a copy of your test results and a check for the non-refundable application fee $50 to:
Baseemah Rahman, Program Coordinator
Spanish/English Interpretation Program
SF State Downtown Campus
835 Market Street , 6th Floor
San Francisco , CA 94103-1901
Registration forms are available here. Early registration is strongly advised.
Download the registration form: www.cel.sfsu.edu/register/fall2007/forms/regform.pdf.
Courses Offered Spring 09
FL400 - Introduction to Interpreting (Spanish/English)
Prerequisite: passing score on SF State Bilingual Entrance Exam, (or passing the state or federal written exam) and admission to the program. This intensive introductory course is designed for students who want to develop their English/Spanish skills in the field of legal/court interpretation and the medical evaluation system of workers' compensation. Following exercises to enhance memory and mental agility, students will learn interpreting theory. The fundamentals of simultaneous, consecutive and sight interpretation will be introduced with an emphasis on the criminal justice system and vocabulary development. This course is a comprehensive introduction to the language skills required to pass the state interpreter examinations.
Instructor: Ana Lynch Dates: Feb 4- May 20, 2009 Day: Wednesday Times: 6:00pm-8:45 Units: 3 Room 17-203
FL401 - Sight Translation
Prerequisite: FL 400
This course is designed to assist students in understanding legal and other written documents commonly used in civil and criminal courts and to translate these documents orally in the target language in a public situation. The emphasis is on legal vocabulary development in both Spanish and English using legal documents from a variety of Spanish-speaking countries. Literary and current events are also used when appropriate. Tone, proper register, delivery and accuracy are stressed.
Instructor: Eric Bishop Dates: Jan 28 - May 20, 2009 Day: Wednesday Times: 6:00pm-8:45pm Units: 3 Room 17-105
FL405 - Consecutive Interpretation II
Prerequisite: FL 403
This course provides advanced practice in the consecutive mode of interpretation in legal proceedings including pretrial hearings, preliminary examinations, motions and trials in state and federal courts, as well as depositions, medical/ psychiatric examinations and administrative hearings. Material is more complex than in FL 403. Emphasis is on extended recall, communicating nuances, maintaining register and equanimity in more demanding situations. In-class practice sessions are designed to improve memory, learn note-taking when appropriate and acquire relevant terminology.
Instructor: Nina Safdie Dates: Jan 27 - May 19, 2009 Day: Tuesday Times: 6:00pm-8:45pm Units: 3 Room 17-203
Prerequisite: FL 407
This course provides practice in simultaneous interpretation skills from English into Spanish in more complex legal proceedings than in FL 407. Students practice with tape-recorded legal texts at a moderate to fast rate of speech (140 words per minute and faster.) Material used contains testimony of expert witnesses, legal motions, jury instructions, and other more complex material, and requires acquisition of specialized terminology such as forensic pathology.
Instructor: Fanny Suarez Dates: Jan 29-May 21, 2009 Day: Thursday Times: 6:00pm-8:45pm Units: 3 NOTE: This course will be offered at the SFSU Main Campus, 19th & Holloway, Humanities Bldg. 404 - This course is not available at Cañada
Read about the SEI Program in the San Francisco Examiner 5/2/07
Brochure for more information, FAQs...
Interpreting is such a fulfilling career; it's mentally challenging, linguistically fascinating, often emotionally moving, and there's always something new to learn. For me, it is important that I am playing a role in ensuring that language is never a barrier to the exercise of one's legal rights. Besides court, I have had the opportunity to work in an amazing variety of situations, where I can make a contribution and gain insight into many different worlds. - Carol Tonelli, 2004 SEI Program Graduate
I feel so lucky to be a court interpreter. I use my language skills to help give people equal access to justice. And I love my job because it's so challenging. I learn something about language and the law every single day. - Curtis Draves, 2005 SEI Program Graduate
Fast Facts
- Program Length
The program is designed so participants can complete requirements in 15 to 22 months. - Program Cost
The cost of the six required courses is approximately $3,560 plus a non-refundable $50 application fee. Texts and optional courses are additional. - Program Requirements
• Passing score on bilingual entrance exam
• Minimum of 56 academic semester units in any discipline (approximately two years of college). - Admission
After you have been notified that you have passed the bilingual entrance exam, complete and return an application for admission, with a copy of your test results and a check for the non-refundable application fee of $50. - Contact
Baseemah Rahman
(415) 817-4223
brahman@sfsu.edu
Spanish/English Interpretation Certificate Curriculum
The formal curriculum consists of six required upper-division academic courses (18 units), and two optional courses.
| FL 400 | Introduction to Interpreting | (3 units) |
| FL 401 | Sight Translation | (3 units) |
| FL 403 | Consecutive Interpretation I | (3 units) |
| FL 405 | Consecutive Interpretation II (with lab) | (3 units) |
| FL 407 | Simultaneous Interpretation I (with lab) | (3 units) |
| FL 409 | Simultaneous Interpretation II (with lab) | (3 units) |
| SPAN 365 | Medical Interpretation (optional) | (3 units) |
| FL 9914 | Advanced Interpreting & Oral Exam Prep (optional) (with lab) | (3.6 CEU) |
The Required courses in this program carry full upper-division academic credit. Some courses may be applied toward a Spanish degree with a faculty advisor approval. For further information, contact the SF State Spanish Language Department (415) 338-1421. Courses taken on a credit/no credit basis may not be used towards Spanish major.
If you have any questions, please contact:
Baseemah Rahman, Program Coordinator
Spanish/English Interpretation Program
brahman@sfsu.edu
(415) 817-4223
