Community Interpreting (Level 1 Award)

• This course is FREE for most students.
• £30 membership fee applies to all students.
• The course fee listed is the maximum you could pay.
• No payment is required when you apply. After submitting your application, our customer service team will contact you to confirm your eligibility for free or discounted fees and guide you through the next steps.
• You might be surprised at how many ways you can qualify for funding. Check your eligibility here.

There are no formal entry requirements. You should feel confident using everyday spoken English (ESOL Entry 3 or above recommended) and be able to speak another language to a good standard.

This introductory course explores the role of the community interpreter and how interpreters help people access public services such as the NHS, schools, housing and local authorities. You will develop awareness of English language features used in public service settings, learn about the responsibilities and boundaries of the interpreter, and gain basic techniques for short, simple interpreting encounters. The course also guides you on finding valuable voluntary experience and mapping a progression route to higher-level community interpreting qualifications.

• The role, responsibilities and boundaries of a community interpreter (confidentiality, impartiality, professionalism).
• English language awareness for interpreting: plain English, tone, register and common public service terminology.
• Understanding communities and organisations: NHS, education, housing, welfare and voluntary-sector contexts.
• Core interpreting techniques: active listening, memory and note-taking; short consecutive and liaison practice.
• Ethics and safeguarding awareness; working safely and respectfully with service users.
• Building simple bilingual glossaries and using reference materials.
• Finding and recording voluntary experience.
• Reflective practice and next steps.