Spanish / English Interpretation Certificate (Legal/Medical)
SEI Certificate Program Brochure
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.
For more information about the classes offered in FALL 2009, visit http://wwww.cel.sfsu.edu/interpretation and click on "Classes".
Open House Event for students interested starting in the SPRING 2010 semester
- Tuesday, December 15, 2009 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm in Building 2, Room 10 (see map)
- Tuesday, January 12, 2010 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm in Building 2, Room 10 (see map)
Bilingual Exams for students interested starting in the SPRING 2010 semester
- Saturday, January 9, 2010 at SFSU (1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132)
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Saturday, January 23, 2010 at SFSU (1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94132)
To register for the exam, which is given at the SFSU Main Campus, use the website www.sfsu.edu/~testing and go to "Online Test Registration", or register in person at the SF State Testing Center, HSS Bldg., room 206, Main Campus, 1600 Holloway Avenue. The Testing Center's email is testing@sfsu.edu
For further inquiries please contact:
Name: Baseemah Rahman, Program Coordinator
E-mail: brahman@sfsu.edu
Telephone: (415) 817-4223
Three steps for Admission and Registration:
1. Take the Bilingual Entrance Exam
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, which is given at the SFSU Main Campus, by going to www.sfsu.edu/~testing and clicking on "Online Test Registration". The cost of the exam is $20.00. If you experience difficulty registering for the Bilingual Entrance Exam, contact the SFSU 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 (3) times in a 12-month period, and can only take the test on the dates mentioned above.
For sample questions visit http://www.sfsu.edu/~testing/bilingual.html
For additional study and preparation, visit the State practice written examination at
http://www.prometric.com/California/CACourtIntPrep.htm. Once there, go to "Sample Exam (English/Spanish)."
Study resources are also available at the Cañada College Library:
Building 9, 3rd floor - Phone: (650) 306-3485
Hours: M-TH 8:00 am - 8:00 pm & F 8:00 am - 3:00 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 the application form with a copy of your test results and a check fee of $50.00 (non-refundable) to:
Baseemah Rahman, Program Coordinator
Spanish/English Interpretation Program
SF State Downtown Campus
835 Market Street , 6th Floor
San Francisco , CA 94103-1901
Early registration is strongly advised. To register for courses, visit http://www.cel.sfsu.edu/interpretation/admission.cfm
Courses offered for the Spring 2010 semester:
Title: FL 400 Introduction to Interpreting (3 units)
Prerequisite: Passing score on SF State Bilingual Entrance Exam, (or passing the state or federal written exam) and admission to the program.
Description: 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
Meeting Dates: Wednesdays, 2/03/2010 - 5/19/2010
Meeting Time: 6:00 PM - 8:45 PM
Location: Cañada College, Building 17, Room 203
SFSU Section: Z02
SFSU Schedule #: 25122
Title: FL 401 Sight Translation (3 Units)
Prerequisite: FL 400.
Description: 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
Meeting Dates: Tuesdays, 1/26-2010 - 5/18/2010
Meeting Time: 6:00 PM - 8:45 PM
Location: Cañada College, Building 17, Room 203
SFSU Section: Z02
SFSU Schedule #: 25124
Title: FL 405 Consecutive Interpretation II (3 Units)
Prerequisite: FL 403.
Course Description: 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
SFSU Section: Z03
SFSU Schedule #: 25127
Meeting Dates: Thursdays, 1/28/2010 - 5/20/2010
Meeting Time: 6:00 PM - 8:45 PM
Location: Cañada College, Building 17, Room 203
**The course below is not available at Cañada College; it is offered at San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, Humanities Bldg. 404 ** (see map)
Title: FL 409 Simultaneous Interpretation II (3 units)
Prerequisite: FL 400
There are two sections available:
Section 1
Instructor: Cristina Visus
SFSU Section: Z01
SFSU Schedule #: 25128
Meeting Dates: Tuesdays, 1/26/2010 - 3/23/2010 and Tuesdays, 4/6/2010 - 5/18/2010
Meeting Time: 6:30 PM-9:15 PM
Location: SFSU,1600 Holloway Ave., HUM 404
Section 2
Instructor: Fanny Suárez
SFSU Section: Z02
SFSU Schedule #: 25129
Meeting Dates: Thursdays, 1/28/2010 - 3/25/2010, and Thursdays, 4/8/2010 - 5/20/2010
Meeting Time: 6:00 PM-8:45 PM
Location: SFSU, 1600 Holloway Ave., HUM 404
Courses offered for the Fall 2009 semester:
Title: FL 400 Introduction to Interpreting (3 units)
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: 8/26- 12/16/2009
Day: Wednesday
Times: 6:00 pm - 8:45 pm
Location: Building 2, Room 10
Title: FL 403 Consecutive Interpretation I (3 units)
Prerequisite: FL 400 This course emphasizes the acquisition of skills in the consecutive mode of interpretation in legal proceedings such as arraignments, pretrial hearings, depositions, trials and administrative hearings. In-class practice sessions and assignments are used to develop memory, acquire relevant courtroom terminology, develop familiarity with idiomatic expressions and slang likely to be used by Spanish-speaking witnesses and defendants, and to discuss ethical issues and courtroom protocol. Material will include courtroom scripts and tapes.
Instructor: Nina Safdie
Dates: 8/27 - 12/17/2009
Day: Thursday
Times: 6:00 pm - 8:45 pm
Location: Building 13, Room 111
Title: FL 405 Simultaneous Interpretation I (3 units)
**This course is not available at Cañada; it is offered at the SFSU main campus, 1600 Holloway Avenue, Humanities Bldg. 404 **
Prerequisite: FL 400
There are two sections available:
Section 1 Instructor: Cristina Visus
Dates: 8/25 - 12/15/2009
Day: Tuesday
Times: 6:30 pm - 9:15 pm
Section 2 Instructor: Fanny Suárez
Dates: 8/27- 12/19/2009
Day: Thursday
Times: 6:00pm-8:45pm
Read about the SEI Program in the San Francisco Examiner 5/2/07
Brochure for more information, FAQ
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 $50.00
Spanish/English Interpretation Certificate Curriculum (SFSU bulletin)
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.
