Internship
Application
Any student currently enrolled in an Interpreter
Preparation/Training Program may apply for an internship at ACC. Students must
apply to ACC Interpreter Services at least 1 month prior to the
beginning of the internship. When completing the Mentorship/Internship
Application, students should be sure to base their schedule of availability on
the semester of the proposed internship.
The application should include a videotape of the student’s best work identified as “Interpretation” or “Transliteration.” Students
are encouraged to submit two or more samples with different target language
goals. If possible, the student should select a text that reflects content found
in the post-secondary setting. When a videotape is not available, the student
must schedule an assessment with Interpreter Services at least 2 weeks before
the beginning of the internship.
Along with the videotape and application, the intern must
provide a copy of the program’s requirements for successful completion of the
internship. Interpreter Services will attempt to place an intern in classes that
will fulfill the requirements of the internship; however, due to scheduling
factors, such as the interpreting needs of deaf students, IS cannot guarantee
that the intern will meet all of the required contact hours in one semester.
Expectations
- Attend Mentorship Workshop during the break prior to the
internship. If the workshop is not offered, meet with the Lead Interpreter
or IS Supervisor.
- When scheduled with multiple partners, one partner, usually
a staff interpreter, will be identified as the site mentor. Give a copy of
the Internship Contract and IPP Evaluation/Goal Form to the site mentor
during the first week of the semester. Meet with the site mentor regularly
throughout the semester to discuss interpreter related issues from any of
the assigned classes.
- On the first day of the internship, wait outside the
classroom for the professional interpreter(s). Working interpreters will
introduce the intern to the instructor(s) and student(s).
- Sit in a location where the interpreters and deaf students
are clearly visible, but refrain from conversing with students or
interpreters during class. Observe the professional interpreter(s) before
being worked into the rotation. The period of observation will vary
depending on the skill level of the intern, the content area of the course,
the needs of the students, etc. and is at the discretion of the professional
interpreter(s). Initial rotations may be for brief turns, such as 5-minutes,
and progressively lengthen over the course of the semester.
- Videotape work at least twice during the semester. An
Interpreter Feedback Form is available from IS for a beginning and end of
semester skills assessment.
- The hourly and/or staff interpreters have ultimate
responsibility for the accuracy of the interpreted message. If the intern is
actively interpreting and the professional observes a significant portion of
the message is lost or skewed, the intern may be asked to relinquish the
seat. The intern should then evaluate the work to determine at what point in
the process the breakdown occurred.
- Keep a journal for each class. The journal is used to keep
track of new vocabulary or questions about the interpreting process. It also
may be used for observations and feedback from the professional
interpreters.
- Spend at least 15 minutes, preferably before or after each
class depending on scheduling, to discuss classroom management, content,
sign vocabulary and process with one or both partners.
- Interpreting in the college environment requires background
knowledge in a variety of fields. Interns should spend time outside of class
preparing for lectures either by reading the textbook or doing background
knowledge research.
Important note
As is common practice in other professions, interpreters will
not be paid for work at ACC during the semester(s) of their internship.
Interpreter Services may offer the intern substitute assignments beyond their
original internship hours. Interns will not be paid for these assignments;
however, the time may be counted as internship contact hours.
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