INTERPRETATION & LANGUAGE ACCESS

People forced to flee their home countries often seek safety in receiving countries where the dominant language is different from their native language. The resources included here are designed to support efforts to strengthen language access so that refugees and asylum seekers can effectively communicate with their receiving communities both through language acquisition and accessing trained interpreters. Training materials include skills and ethical practice for interpreters and cultural mediators and realistic solutions to overcoming language barriers.

Ensuring High Quality Services: Monitoring & Evaluation

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Best Practice Monitoring Guide: Interpreters

A EURITA sample interpreter evaluation form to be used by service providers, interviewers or monitors when evaluating interpreters.

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Best Practice Monitoring Guide: Providers Working with Interpreters

A EURITA monitoring guide for observing service providers working with interpreters.

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Interpreter Services Program Assessment Tool

A EURITA self-assessment tool to help resettlement and integration practitioners identify the current stage of their interpretation services program in the areas of Interpretation Services & Language Access, Interpretation Staffing, Training & Monitoring of Interpreters, Interpreter Scheduling, and Interpretation Related Finance, and to better understand the key components of program maturity.

Increasing Language Access in the Community

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Interpreter Introduction And I Speak Cards

EURITA flash cards with a sample interpreter introduction and for clients requesting an interpreter.

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Putting Language on The Map in The European Refugee Response

A report produced by Translators without Borders on the challenges of accessing language support for refugees and migrants in Greece, and practical solutions to address the issue.
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The Community Interpreter

A website that provides information on interpreter training and a database with licensed trainers in the U.S. and abroad.
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Translators without Borders

An organization offering language and translation support for humanitarian and development agencies, and other non-profit organizations.

Recruiting Interpreters

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ALTA Language Testing Services

ALTA Language Services develops and administers language assessments for government agencies, healthcare organizations, and businesses nationwide in more than 100 languages annually.
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Guidelines for Screening Interpreters

A reference document for consideration when screening potential interpreters.
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Language Proficiency Assessment Chart

A EURITA rubric describing the levels of language proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing; can be helpful for assessment and evaluation purposes.

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Sample Questions for Interpreter Interviews

A list of possible questions to ask interpreter candidates during the interview process.

Training Interpreters

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An Introduction to Interpreting for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Receiving Communities

A EURITA introductory training for community interpreters working with refugees and asylum seekers.

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Basic Interpreter Training: Participant Workbook

A participant workbook designed for those taking part in the basic interpreter training and intended to be used in conjunction with the trainer’s manual. Audience: Interpreters (or cultural mediators who serve as interpreters) who already have some elementary training in the field.
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Basic Interpreter Training: Trainer’s Manual

A trainer’s manual designed for those conducting the basic interpreter training. The manual consists of four key units on interpretation in the resettlement context, and considers challenges such as mixed language groups, participants with limited target language proficiency, and basic facilities in which to conduct the training. Audience: Trainers already knowledgeable in the field.
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Bridging The Gap: Medical Interpreter Training

An organization that provides training for medical interpreters.
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Code of Conduct for Interpreters

A EURITA sample code of conduct for interpreters to sign outlining expectations for their conduct during an interpreter encounter.

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International Medical Interpreters Association

An association committed to the advancement of professional medical interpreters.
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Introduction to Interpreting Skills (EURITA E-Learning Series)

This interactive e-learning series for interpreters and cultural mediators who serve as interpreters provides an overview of the skills, protocols and professional behaviors that interpreters are expected to display in their work with providers and clients. Click here for detailed instructions on how to get started and make the most out of your e-learning experience.

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Ask The Guru Training Activity

These cards can be used as part of a lesson plan aimed at training interpreters to deal with difficult encounters.

Working Effectively with Interpreters

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Effective Use of Interpreters Presentation

A EURITA presentation for service providers about using interpreters, designed to be given as a full day training. This presentation adopts best practices from the U.S. context for a European audience.

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Field Guide to Humanitarian Interpreting And Cultural Mediation

A field guide developed by Translators without Borders on humanitarian interpreting and cultural mediation.
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How to Use Interpreters Effectively

A video created for the Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma certificate course on how refugee service providers can effectively use interpreters.
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Interpreter Protocol And Standards of Practice (Part One)

Part one of a video series by Clarity Interpreting that corrects common interpreting mistakes.
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Interpreter Protocol And Standards of Practice (Part Two)

Part two of a video series by Clarity Interpreting that corrects common interpreting mistakes.
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Switchboard E-Learning: Introduction to Working with Interpreters

Register here to take Switchboard’s new e-learning course on Introduction to Working with Interpreters which covers the interpreter’s role, why quality interpretation is important when providing services to limited English proficient clients, etc.

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Switchboard E-Learning: Overcoming Challenges in Interpretation

Register here to take Switchboard’s new e-learning course on Overcoming Challenges in Interpretation which covers how to conduct a pre-session with an interpreter; how to support your interpreter to improve the quality of an interpreted conversation; and steps you can take to address common interpretation challenges (Audience: Service Providers).
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The Effective Use of Interpreters (EURITA E-Learning series)

This interactive e-learning series for service providers and integration practitioners provides an overview of the skills, protocols and professional behaviors that interpreters are expected to display along with practices that promote an effective encounter. Click here for detailed instructions on how to get started and make the most out of your e-learning experience.
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Tips for Working with Interpreters

EURITA tips for service providers on working effectively with interpreters.

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Working with Interpreters

A video published by Legal Services of New Jersey that includes tips on how to communicate effectively with a client through an interpreter.
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Working with Interpreters in The Community

A video published by the New York City Administration for Child Services covering the responsibilities of service providers when working with interpreters in the community.

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Cultural Backgrounder: Refugees from Ukraine

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