Educational Assistants and Educational Interpreters, this course is for you! Learn about historical and current deaf education issues and practices, various educational philosophies, relevant research, legislation and rights, and administration and public school organization. Discuss roles and responsibilities of educational personnel in K-12 settings, ethical considerations, language and background knowledge requirements, communication strategies, professionalism, age, and cultural considerations. Prerequisites: Completion of English 22 or ESOL 92, completion of ASL 101 or its equivalent, or instructor consent. Recommended Preparation: DEAF 101. Concurrent enrollment: ASL 102, ASL 2B or its equivalent.

Instructor: Michella Maiorana

You need more than conversational ability in ASL and English to be an interpreter. Since the profession serves a population with varied communication needs and language proficiencies, interpreters must be versatile to meet the challenges that might arise in any interpreting situation. Therefore, interpreters need specific education and training to ensure they can provide quality services to Deaf and hearing consumers. Fluency in both languages, objectivity, flexibility, good judgment, maintenance of confidentiality, and reliability are equally essential qualities an interpreter must possess.

As an interpreting student at KCC, you take courses covering the following areas: the interpreter’s role; an historical overview of the interpreting profession; public speaking techniques in ASL and English; Deaf Culture and Community awareness and sensitivity; intercultural and cross-cultural interactions; linguistics; educational issues facing Deaf children; ethics and decision-making; models of interpretation; the process of interpretation; text analysis; interpreting preparation; team interpreting; transliteration; business practices; the various situations in which an interpreter might function; and extensive guided practice in the skills necessary for interpreting. If you are pursuing a career as an educational interpreter in K-12 settings, your courses provide you with the information and skills necessary to work effectively in those settings.

Whether you receive an Associates degree or a Certificate of Completion from the College once you successfully complete the Interpreter Education Program, you should understand you are not certified. Rather, you are a trainee ready to accept basic, entry level interpreting assignments. The path towards certification is a lengthy one, requiring continuous study, practical experience and guidance. To facilitate this process, professional development opportunities, mentoring and credentialing preparation workshops are offered through the program.

FYI! No classes during Spring Break, March 24-28!