NVQ TRAINING & ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME

NVQ6 BSL/English Interpreting

Programme Overview
As an approved centre for both LearnDirect Scotland and Signature, Deaf Perspective is the largest provider of accredited BSL training in Scotland.

Our success is attributed to high standards of service, quality of delivery, knowledge base of our tutors and assessors – and also value for money.

Unlike some other centres which offer only assessment programmes, Deaf Perspective offers both training & assessment. We offer training opportunities which employ a range of teaching and learning styles including lectures, workshops, visiting speakers, open forums, individual tutorials opportunities and reflective analysis.

NVQ6 BSL/English Interpreting is a National Vocational Qualification which is attained by a continuous work-related assessment structure. Over a period of approximately 12 – 18 months (8 months teaching and the remainder evidence gathering) candidates are required to build a portfolio demonstrating their ability to function at different levels, so it should be noted that participants on this programme should already be employed in a BSL related field of work. Our aim is to produce proficient and professionally intelligent practitioners who are able to self-reflect and in order to do this there will be home and work-related assignments (practical and theory-related)

Further to advice and confirmation from Signature, the Awarding Body, please note that the NVQ6 Interpreting (BSL/English) programme is only available to hearing professionals.

The full NVQ6 Interpreting Award comprises of four mandatory units and one optional unit (from a choice of two) as follows:

Mandatory Units:

• Prepare for interpreting assignments
• Conduct interpreting assignments one-way
• Conduct interpreting assignments two-way
• Develop your performance as an interpreter

Optional units:

• Produce sight translations of everyday documents to support interpreting

      or

• Co-working with other interpreters

Collectively, these units demonstrate occupational competence to interpret in a range of work-related settings. On successful completion and assessment of all five interpreting units the candidate will be eligible for both current SASLI and NRCPD MRSLI status.

The NVQ6 BSL/English Interpreting programme consists of 6 weekends – each weekend representing 2 days of formal teaching. Typically, these will be Saturday 9.00 – 5.00 and Sunday 10.00 – 5.00. These weekends represent 90 of the 120 hours tutor/assessor contact time.

The remaining 30 hours will be arranged during the course of the programme to suit individual needs, assessment requirements, gathering of evidence (real and simulated) and may be in groups or on a one-to-one basis.

There will also be regular ‘Surgery Hours’ with tutors and assessors to allow candidates regular access to tutors and assessors.

Synopsis of taught elements:

• Interpreting theory & practice including preparation and reflection
• Self evaluation
• Coping strategies
• BSL to English (voice-over) development & strategies
• Ethics and cultural mediation
• Skills practice, dynamics & interaction
• Interpreting dilemmas
• Self diagnostic practice
• Pragmatics
• Cohesion & coherence in BSL and English
• Cultural differences and strategies to mediate between cultures
• Discourse analysis
• Co-working

Candidate commitment:
Candidates should commit to attending all formal teaching weekends.

Candidates will be expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, being fully responsible for their own learning and development portfolios. 

Candidates will be required to allocate a sensible amount of regular home-study time in order to do complete the required research and evidence-gathering to a satisfactory standard.

Candidates should be sufficiently motivated and committed in order to achieve outcomes and deadlines.

Course tutors and assessors:
Deaf Perspective is committed to providing its candidates with only the best Deaf and hearing tutors and interpreter trainers.

We use native BSL users who have been trained and accredited to deliver and assess a range of programmes, and candidates will have regular opportunities to meet with them as appropriate.

Our registered Interpreter trainers have a wealth of experience in international interpreting, lecturing at University level, examining and assessing, and coaching and developing.

By using the following professional and experienced trainers, Deaf Perspective ensures that consistent standards are adhered to.

Ronald Harte (Trainer and assessor)
Ronald has been teaching BSL for over 20 years and is the sole owner and Director of Deaf Perspective, now the largest provider of accredited BSL training in Scotland. 
He holds a degree in Engineering (Strathclyde University) and holds both A1 and V1 qualifications. He also delivers a number of BSL Level 1 and 2, NVQ Level 3 and 6 courses.
He will be a guest lecturer on this programme.    

Linda Thomson (Programme coordinator, trainer and assessor)
Linda is a registered interpreter with the Scottish Association of Sign Language Interpreters (SASLI) and is an active BSL/English interpreter. She is also a Chartered Linguist (MCIL) and is a member of the Institute of Translation & Interpreting (qual.MITI)
She was a Board member and treasurer for SASLI (2004 – 2007) and was also Head of Communications for the European Forum of Sign Language Interpreters (efsli) from 2005 – 2007.
She is a guest lecturer and final examiner for the Grad.Dip BSL/English Interpreting programme at Heriot-Watt University and has written and delivered NVQ modules for SQA.
Prior to becoming an interpreter, Linda had 20 years experience as a senior Training and Development Manager with Marks & Spencer plc working in Europe and the UK.

Andy Irvine (Trainer and assessor)
For many years, Andy was a Registered British Sign Language/English Interpreter, registered with the Scottish Association of Sign Language Interpreters (SASLI) He held various positions within the management structure of the association and was actively involved in the development and profession of British Sign Language/English Interpreting. Also held the position of Secretariat for (European Forum of Sign Language Interpreters (efsli) for 3 years. Over a five year period he attended Heriot-Watt University as guest lecturer and examiner on their BSL/English Interpreting Courses.
As a long standing trainer and assessor he has designed, delivered and assessed a number of training courses over the full spectrum of deafness and communication tactics.

Other guest lecturers
There will also be visiting speakers who are experts in their own field.

Entry requirements:
NVQ6 in BSL: It is expected that candidates will have completed, or partially completed, the NVQ6 BSL Language Units, or have an equivalent award, before commencing the Interpreting Programme.

English skills: It is expected that candidates will have a good command of written and spoken English, to Higher / A Level or equivalent.

Initial Assessment: All applicants will be required to attend an interview prior to being offered a place on the programme when they will be required to demonstrate appropriate interpreting skills together with the required standards of BSL and English.

Further details of the interview will be provided as part of the application process.

Programme dates and fees:
Fees for this course are currently £2,895.00.  This covers the allocated time for teaching and assessment, undertaken for a period of eighteen months commencing the first day of the programme. Where participants are unable to achieve the full award within this timescale, or require additional tutorials/assessment hours to those allocated, further hourly/sessional fees will be levied enabling candidates to receive additional 1:1 tutor/assessor time during the currency of the NVQ registration.  Similarly, should candidates wish to undertake further training as a result of issues highlighted during the Initial Assessment, these will also incur additional costs.

Payment terms:
Self funding participants may wish to take advantage of our flexible payment scheme. Please ask for details.

Participants may also wish to apply for a Professional and Career Development Loan, please follow link for details

Venue details:
All programmes are delivered on our own premises in the Festival Business Centre, Brand Street, Glasgow where Deaf Perspective has its own offices, training rooms, and kitchen facilities on site.

If you would like to be considered for a place on the programme, please complete an application form, available on our website or from Deaf Perspective at 150 Brand St., Glasgow G51 1DH

Email: info@deafperspective.co.uk