Explaining Language Interpreter School & Our Final Exam

Language interpreter school is for the bilingual adults who want a career change. Specifically, one that builds upon the language skills they already have. At language connections, we have a variety of different courses for our bilingual adult students to choose from. So whether it's medical translating or working in public schools as an educational interpreter; we provide the tools with which language professionals build successful careers.

Each language professional training course prepares students to pursue a specific path. Meaning that translator training only prepares students for a career as a professional language translator. So, what if you complete our translation certificate course, and actually want to become a medical interpreter? You would have to enroll in our medical interpreter course because those are different courses for a reason: they teach different subjects, skills and vocabulary. However, at the end of each course, there is a final exam that every student must pass in order to successfully complete it.

Language interpreter school & our final exam:

Written exam part 1: multiple choice

Our final exam focuses on the terminology and concepts we have discussed throughout the course. If you were paying attention during class, this shouldn't be a problem at all! This section determines if you have a basic understanding of the medical conditions that your future patients might have. We have discussed these conditions at length during class, so don't forget to study the early stuff! and .

*What to study: common medical conditions, ethical dilemmas & medical terms

*Why this is important: if you are going to work as a medical interpreter, you HAVE know this terminology, and have a basic understanding of it in both languages. You don't have to know everything, but you MUST know the basics we covered in class.

Written exam part 2: identifying anatomical systems

It is critical that you have a basic understanding of basic anatomical systems. What does the digestive system do? What organs are involved? Are there any conditions or symptoms that commonly affect this particular anatomical system? Where is each organ located? Do you know all of this in both English and in your target language?

*What to study: basic bodily systems (digestive & urinary), the specific organs involved in them, and where they are generally located in the human body.

*Why this is important: to be an effective language interpreter, you must understand how the body normally operates, so that you can understand when something is wrong. Your patient needs you to be their voice, so it is now your job to describe what is happening to their doctor in a language everyone can understand.

The oral exam: role-play session

Throughout the duration of the course, we will periodically conduct role-play scenarios. In them, someone plays the doctor, another person is the patient, and you are the interpreter. Role plays are live, and the essence of what your work will be as a medical interpreter. To become a medical interpreter, you must get practice somewhere. Your final exam will incorporate a role play, where there is a pretend appointment and you must interpret in the moment.

*What to study: practice everything we discussed in class in English and your target language! Speak out loud as much as you can in both languages. You might feel silly, but you can always practice in private.

*Why this is important: we need to know that you can provide medical interpretation during a fictional scenario before you can do it in the real world. In the real world, a small mistake could cost your patient their life. It has happened before. You need to be able to interpret in the moment in a controlled environment before we send you out to do the real thing, where there are serious, real life consequences for errors.

Our online translator classes are taught by expert instructors ✅ who have real-world experience in their interpreting specialty. They have worked hard to make fully remote online courses that are unique and engaging ✅ using a hands-on approach that is unparalleled by the competition. If you or someone you know is interested in our online Medical Interpreter Training Programs with live instruction✅, our fully remote yet real time classes ✅ are offered in Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, Farsi, French, Hindi, Korean, Somali, Urdu, Ukrainian languages online and onsite.