Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

This module aims to:

Introduce the nature of oral interpreting between languages, the skills required, the training methods, the profession and the working environment.

Consolidate the foundation for students to develop the professional interpreting skills in order to confidently select and undertake consecutive interpreting assignments.

Introduce the general principles of Consecutive Interpreting as well as more advanced interpreting skills and exercises.

Provide more experience in consecutive interpreting and sight interpreting exercises, preparing for the more advanced interpreting training in the second year.


In addition to general subject areas such as trade and economics, this module also focuses on technical areas, such as computers, science and technology , and industry. Current affairs are also a key topic for interpreting classes.

Outline Of Syllabus

Semester 1
1.       An introduction to the profession as an interpreter - Public speaking skills 1 (PIP 2 hours)
2.       Public speaking skills 2 (PIP 2 hours)
3.       Active listening 1 – memory as a by-product of comprehension (PIP 2 hours)
4.       Active listening 2 – building coherence (PIP 2 hours)
5.       Spot the plot with minimal notes (PIP 2 hours)
6.       Active listening with split attention to details (PIP 2 hours)
7.       CI with minimal note-taking for expository talks (PIP 2 hours)
8.       CI with minimal note-taking for argumentative talks (PIP 2 hours)
9.       Note-taking 1 – speed is the essence (PIP 2 hours)
10.       Note-taking 2 – layout, language, note-reading (PIP 2 hours)
11.       Note-taking 3 – timing of note-taking (PIP 2 hours)
Semester 2
1.       Ceremonial speeches and Interpreting (e.g. Bidding for world cup regional qualification matches, PIP 2 hours)
2.       Symbols choice and creation in note-taking (e.g. CAFO, PIP 2 hours)
3.       Trade and Interpreting (e.g. shipping industry, PIP 2 hours)
4.       Automobile industry and Interpreting (e.g. auto show, PIP 2 hours)
5.       Art Interpreting (e.g. Launch of a local gallery of modern art in China, PIP 2 hours)
6.       Social movement and responsibility (PIP 2 hours)
7.       Humour in interpreting (e.g. human resource, PIP 2 hours)
8.       Emotionally charged CI (e.g Reith Lecture, PIP 2 hours)
9.       Mnemonics for CI with heavy visual elements (PIP 2 hours)
10.       Mock Conference (PIP 8 hours)
11.       Technical phrases and expressions in engineering (PIP 2 hours)

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

Students should achieve the following learning outcomes:

•       knowledge and understanding of the nature of interpreting and the environment in which it takes place
•       knowledge and understanding of techniques to improve public speaking skills
•       awareness of the differences between spoken and written styles and registers, and of cohesion in
improvised speech
•       knowledge and understanding of how interpreters improve their memory retention ability through active
listening and note-taking skills
•       awareness of the importance of the knowledge base of given topics

Intended Skill Outcomes

Students should achieve the following skills outcomes:

•       ability to do oral paraphrasing and summarising in public speaking
•       ability to capture the main argument and primary support information
•       ability to do basic consecutive interpreting at short speech intervals with or without notes
•       ability to orally interpret numbers in context quickly and correctly

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The lecture materials provide guidance/input in interpreting skills and subject contents. The small group sessions enable students to prepare, practice, perform and discuss tasks assigned to them.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Building up their interpreting experience to cope with different scenarios as the training progresses over the course, the live panel interpreting assessment allows students to demonstrate their interpreting skills in a simulated real- world setting. Advanced information will be provided which allows the students to exercise their research and preparation skills for the interpreting assignment.

During the course of the study, students will be given mock exams as formative feedback. This approach allows the students more time to reflect their learning without too much pressure, and make progress according to individuals’ different pace of learning.

General Notes

N/A