Course Catalog
Fluency in both English and Spanish is the only prerequisite to enroll in the program. These courses help prepare the student for the oral portion of the California State examination for court interpreters.
Courses must be taken in order.
Each course builds on the previous course and registration includes all materials and CDs for that class. See Registration Form for registration deadline each semester. No other books, dictionaries, or materials are required. A hand held tape recorder should be brought to every class meeting in every course.
Court Interpreting - Level I 10 meetings
$429.00 Prerequisite: Good Spanish/English bilingual skills.
This course will give you the foundation you need to function as a truly bilingual professional and begin the intepreting experience. You will improve in general vocabulary in both languages and learn about the criminal justice system and the terminology needed for the courtroom. You will learn and practice the different modes of interpretation: shadowing, sight translation and simultaneous interpretation at 110 wpm. You will learn about the many opportunities that exist for bilingual professionals in almost every field of endeavor besides the legal and healthcare venues.
Court Interpreting - Level II 10 meetings
$429.00 Prerequisite: Court Interpreting I
Build on the skills and criminal court terminology acquired in Level I. Using actual court cases, you will add new vocabulary and raise your speed in simultaneous interpreting to 120 wpm, while extending your ability in consecutive and sight translation. The knowledge and confidence attained in this class will further enhance your opportunities for employment as a bilingual professional in many fields.
Court Interpreting - Level III 10 meetings
$429
Prerequisite: Court Interpreting II
Pick up the pace as you approximate the proficiency needed to function at a professional level and build on the skills and terminology learned in prevoius courses. The simultaneous exercises are at 130 words per minute. You are getting closer.
Court Interpreting - Level IV 10 meetings
$429.00 Prerequisite: Court Interpreting III
This culminating course simulates the state oral exam at each meeting. The simultaneous exercises are at the requisite 140 wpm, and the consecutive up to 40 words of retention. The sight translations are timed in the same manner as the state exam. In addition to new vocabulary, terms from the previous courses are incorporated throughout. You will be ready to be interviewed for employment by the many agencies and employers that recruit from this program.
Preparation for the State Written Exam
This component of the program helps to prepare students for the written portion of the California State examination for court interpreters.
Ruben R. Murillo, PhD., University of San Diego Department of Languages and Literatures, developed this unique component to NII's program. He received his training in languages at University of California, Berkeley; University of Paris, University of Toulouse, and University of California, San Diego. He worked his way through college and graduate school as an interpreter and has taken those two expereinces to produce these very much needed courses. He taught for five years in the CSUN program before turning them over to Lourdes Viramontes.
These two elective courses are RECOMMENDED for ALL students prior to taking the state written exam. At least ONE of these courses is also REQUIRED in order to receive a Certificate of Completion from the Interpreting Program. The vocabulary, grammar, and skills learned in the interpreting courses will help take full advantage of these two courses.
Review of Bilingual Grammar 10 meetings
$429.00 Prerequisite: None - may be taken concurrently with any of the court interpreting classes.
You will review the rules of grammer in both English and Spanish. It is a must for English dominant speakers or if you have not taken formal Spanish classes. You will also take a mid-term exam and a final exam similar to the test given by the State of California. This will enable you to better anticipate what your score on that test should be.
Practical Linguistics 10 meetings
$429.00 Prerequisite: None - may be taken concurrently with any of the Court Interpreting classes.
This class will provide a deeper understanding of how the English language works and the most common usage problems. It will also improve your pronunciation. A must for Spanish dominant speakers. You will also take a mid-term and a final exam similar to the test given by the State of California. This will enable you to better anticipate what your score on that test should be.