Are you a trained or experienced interpreter ready to upgrade your skills? Have you ever wondered what it takes to orally translate at the same rate of speech as the speaker, fully and accurately? Consider moving your career forward with professional training in the in-demand field of simultaneous interpretation.

What is simultaneous interpreting?

Simultaneous interpreting (SI) is one of the most challenging interpreting skills to learn and master. It requires the ability to listen to a message delivered in one language, while interpreting those words into another language after only a few seconds’ delay. Performed well, it enables real-time and interactive communication between individuals or groups who may not understand one another’s language. This demanding, highly skilled service is often needed at large meetings and conferences, international events and in legal settings.

What will I learn?

Offered every July, SFU’s Simultaneous Interpretation Program will train and prepare you to become a skilled practitioner of simultaneous interpreting between Mandarin Chinese and English. Our training covers basic skills and commonly used strategies and techniques, along with hands-on practice, and lessons in cultural nuances and general knowledge. 

Our instructor, who has extensive experience in both the classroom and the industry, will guide you through the world of professional simultaneous interpreting step by step. Through this course you will:

• Gain an introduction to and overview of the practice of simultaneous interpreting (SI)
• Improve and develop verbal fluency, speed, diction, information load and terminology
• Prepare and practise for various SI assignments
• Learn commonly used SI knowledge, protocol and etiquette in various settings
• Develop, perform, identify and demonstrate competency via real-life SI practices