Conference Interpreting – A Complete Course

The conference interpreting skillset – full consecutive and simultaneous interpreting – has long been in demand well beyond the multilateral intergovernmental organizations, notably in bilateral diplomacy, business, international tribunals and the media. This comprehensive coursebook sets out an updated step-by-step programme of training, designed to meet the increasingly challenging conditions of the 21st century, and adaptable by instructors with the appropriate specializations to cover all these different applications in contemporary practice.
After an overview of the diverse world of interpreting and the prerequisites for this demanding course of training, successive chapters take students and teachers through initiation and the progressive acquisition of the techniques, knowledge and professionalism that make up this full skillset. For each stage in the training, detailed, carefully sequenced exercises and guidance on the cognitive challenges are provided, in a spirit of transparency between students and teachers on their respective roles in the learning process. For instructors, course designers and administrators, more detailed and extensive tips on pedagogy, curriculum design and management will be found in the companion Trainer’s Guide.

Cyril Flerov, Middlebury Institute of International Studies, on Amazon.com:
These books undoubtedly need to be in the library of any professional conference interpreter and are a must read for interpretation students. [...] The books cover in their scope all major aspects of teaching conference interpretation: until now there was no such attempt so the books are indeed unique. Each topic is sufficiently detailed and the books objectively describe established practices as well as controversies [...]. Currently teaching conference interpretation – in my opinion – depends heavily on standards and rules of a particular educational institution or a particular instructor. The Trainer’s Guide is a unique attempt if not to standardize then to summarize logically and clearly methods and techniques of teaching. It is not possible to go into all details in an Amazon review but the book will be an invaluable training aid for any serious interpreter trainer worldwide. The Complete Course is somewhat smaller in size (470 pages) but is no less comprehensive. Geared more towards students than trainers, it covers duties and responsibilities of an interpreter, prerequisites and exercises, initiation to interpreting. It is a highly practical volume that will be useful in class and outside of it. [...] Both books are truly unique and complete – a real treat for trainers and students and interpreters.