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Certificate in Liaison Interpreting image

Do you want a career as an interpreter? Are you fluent in two languages? This programme provides you with the skills for a career as a professional liaison interpreter. Learn to perform interpreting tasks using accurate language and register, and find out about ethical dilemmas interpreters may face.


[CertLiaisInterp]

6, 60

Full-time for 17 weeks (not including holidays)

Starts February or July

20 places

by 1 February or 1 July

LANG6200

Waitakere campus

NZ$ 1810

International fees
Programme summary
Career opportunities
Courses and timetables
Admission requirements

Programme summary

Gain the skills for a career as a professional liaison interpreter. Learn to perform interpreting tasks using accurate language and register, and develop your vocabulary for various interpreting situations. Practise what you've learnt in our fully equipped language labs, and find out about work opportunities for liaison interpreters.

Do you want a career as an interpreter? Are you fluent in two languages? Perhaps you are already working or volunteering as an interpreter and want a qualification to improve your skills. The Certificate in Liaison Interpreting is a four-month intensive programme that provides you with fundamental professional skills in the field of interpretation (the task of converting spoken statements from one language to another, and from culture to another).

With this certificate, community and government agencies can be sure you have the necessary knowledge and skills to work effectively and professionally as a liaison interpreter in a range of community settings. To gain the Certificate in Liaison Interpreting, you must complete the course LANG6200 Liaison Interpreting, which gives you an understanding of the nature and practice of liaison interpreting.

Learn to perform interpreting tasks using accurate language and register, and develop your vocabulary for various interpreting situations. Gain an understanding of how to manage the ethical dilemmas interpreters may face, and learn to employ effective and appropriate cross-cultural skills for your work as a liaison interpreter in New Zealand.

Real-world learning
Practise what you’ve learnt in our well-equipped language labs and during group exercises with your fellow students. Guest speakers will inform you about the different situations where liaison interpreters are needed, such as in legal and medical contexts.

Experienced lecturers
We have the latest resources to support your learning, and our lecturers are friendly and helpful. They bring their vast experience of interpreting to the classroom and are all accomplished linguists with a high level of fluency in at least two languages.

Flexible study options
To help you combine study with the other demands of your life, classes are held two evenings per week and on Saturday mornings. There is also an online learning component.

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Career opportunities

  • Liaison interpreter in medical, legal and community settings.

This qualification is more likely to open up part-time or freelance job opportunities.

 

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Courses and timetables

To view the list of courses and timetables for this programme for 2010, please click here.

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Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must meet the general, discretionary or special admission requirements. Applicants must also meet the English language requirements.

General admission

Applicants must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age when the programme begins; and
  • Have a minimum of four years' secondary school education; and
  • Have at least 12 credits at NCEA level 1 in each of two subjects, or equivalent; or
  • Have a grade of C or better in New Zealand School Certificate in at least two subjects, or equivalent; or
  • Provide evidence of an excellent/native proficiency in a language other than English; and
  • Be a good listener, be able to concentrate well and be competent in using a computer.

Discretionary admission (for applicants aged under 20)

Applicants who do not meet the general admission requirements and who are less than 20 years of age when the programme begins may be considered for discretionary admission if they can demonstrate aptitude for study at the required level.

Special admission (for applicants aged 20 and over)

Applicants who do not meet the general admission requirements and who are at least 20 years of age when the programme begins may be considered for special admission if they can provide evidence of aptitude or appropriate work or other experience.

English language

Applicants must:

  • Have a minimum of eight NCEA credits in English at level 2, of which four must be in Reading and four in Writing, or equivalent; or
  • Have at least seven NCEA credits at level 3 in an English-rich subject, or equivalent; or
  • Have successfully completed studies at level 5 or higher in an English medium; or
  • Have a grade of 5 or better in New Zealand Sixth Form Certificate English, or equivalent; or
  • Have gained New Zealand University Bursaries in an English-rich subject with a minimum mark of 40 percent, or equivalent; or
  • Have an overall IELTS band score (Academic) of no less than 6.5 (with no band score lower than 6.0), or a TOEFL score of no less than 575, or equivalent; or
  • Have the Unitec Graduate Certificate in English as an Additional Language, or equivalent.

Applicants may be interviewed.

 



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