Take Note! An online note-taking workshop for interpreters

A CPD session aimed at practising interpreters who are keen to improve their note-taking skills for long and short consecutive assignments.

The first part will briefly revisit the principles of note-taking commonly taught on initial interpreter training programmes, allowing space for discussion and reflection on how well these principles have served participants’ practice to date. Structured exercises in long consecutive will help participants to identify particular problem areas and experiment with alternative approaches. The first part of the session will end with a focus on note reading for enhanced performance.

In the second part of the session, we will focus on short consecutive for assignments in public services. We will briefly revisit the features of interaction that can make note-taking a challenge and reflect on the ways in which long consecutive techniques can be adapted to the short form. This part of the session will be supported by materials reflecting authentic interactions in the healthcare and legal settings. The session will end with suggestions for resources to support independent and collaborative practice.

The session will:

• briefly revisit core principles of note-taking;
• provide a structured approach for identifying problem areas and their triggers;
• allow space to experiment with language directionality in notes and symbol formation;
• encourage reflection on the relationship between note-taking and memory;
• include a focus on note reading for enhanced performance;
• suggest resources for independent / collaborative practice.

When: Saturday 25 July, 10 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. (to include a short break between sessions)

Where: Online via Zoom. Details of the Zoom meeting will be made visible to ticket holders.

Languages: Any

What do I need?: A good internet connection, a microphone (camera is desirable but not necessary), paper and pens.

About the session facilitator

The session will be hosted by Rebecca Tipton PhD DPSI FHEA. Rebecca is a Lecturer in Interpreting and Translation Studies at the University of Manchester where she teaches the Theory and Practice of Translation and Interpreting at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and researches aspects of public service interpreting in contemporary society and in the mid-late twentieth century.

She is particularly interested in the application of reflective practice to interpreter education to foster independent learning and the critical thinking skills that support the transition of interpreting trainees into professional practice. She is the co-author (with Olgierda Furmanek, Wake Forest University) of Dialogue Interpreting: A guide to interpreting in public services and the community, published by Routledge in 2016. She is currently developing a book on teaching ethics on translation and interpreting programmes.

We are delighted to welcome Rebecca as a speaker and look forward to seeing many of our interpreter colleagues for what promises to be a highly informative and beneficial event.