Largest Interpreter Training in APALRC’s History: 50 Participants; 22 Languages
In 2009, APALRC held its largest ever interpreter training with fifty candidates, who had been selected out of over three hundred bilingual applicants. Ms. Rosario “Angie” Carrera, a court-certified interpreter and Language Access Coordinator of the Office of the County Executive in Fairfax County, VA, led the rigorous two-day training held at the Thurgood Marshall Center in D.C.
The trainees learned about the interpreter code of conduct, including the importance of impartiality, professionalism, commitment, and respect, in addition to practicing interpretation skills in smaller groups. APALRC staff attorneys also shared their experiences working with low-income, limited-English proficient clients and discussed language access issues.
“The training was the most superbly organized and executed seminar I have ever attended. I think I learned a lot, not only in terms of the skill of interpretation, but also of the spirit of public service, which will certainly benefit me and whomever I will come to serve in the future,” reflected Yo Kimura, one of the trainees fluent in Japanese and English.
Shaileshi Kothary, who is fluent in Gujarati, Hindi and English, commented, “The training was quite an ‘eye-opener’. It was very useful. I was not [previously] aware of the extent of need for interpreters.”
After the training, participants went through a language testing and interview process. Those who have demonstrated required qualifications were added to the roster of APALRC interpreters and will begin their contract work on an on-call basis. APALRC currently has a roster of over seventy interpreters and can assist clients in twenty-two different Asian languages.
Please check back at our website for the 2010 LIP training schedule. Thank you!