SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETING CHINESE II [CHINESE PATHWAY] - 2021/2

Module Overview

This module builds on the module “Simultaneous Interpreting I” and focuses on the advanced practice of simultaneous interpreting between Chinese and English in high-level business and political settings. It covers different types of unilateral and bilateral situations, providing students with advanced skills and practical knowledge to perform interpreting tasks professionally and confidently.

Module provider

School of Literature and Languages

Module Leader

WANG Fang (Lit & Langs)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

 Native or near-native competency in English and Chinese, and attendance and submission of units of assessment of Simultaneous Interpreting I (TRAM 397).

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• The module focuses on the intensive practice of one-way and two-way simultaneous interpreting in a booth and whispered interpreting. Particular emphasis is on different types of unilateral situations, especially speeches and presentations that make use of visual aids such as presentation PowerPoint slides


• Another important aspect is learning how to deal with bilateral situations in which simultaneous interpreting is required such as bilateral talks and debates


• In all situations, due attention is paid to the students’ ability to handle the simultaneity of source language comprehension and target language production and the production of an accurate, coherent and fluent output in the target language


• Further practice covers team work and the use of aids in the interpreting booth as well as the specifics of whispered interpreting for individuals or small groups of interlocutors. Students will also review how to prepare for an assignment and how to continue learning after an assignment


• In-class analysis and discussion are based on the students’ own performance as well as prototypical interpreting scenarios, their respective challenges, and the knowledge and strategies required to master them. The module also includes discussions of potential clients' needs, the interpreter's role and relevant codes of conduct for interpreting


• Materials include live and recorded materials from semi-specialised and specialised registers.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Resits may exceptionally require an alternative form of assessment. In such cases, the topic of the assignment may be modified, or the assignment may be done on the basis of recorded spoken material. The achievement of the learning outcomes is measured in the same way as in the first attempt, using the criteria for oral interpreting assignment.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their practical interpreting skills as well as to enhance their ability to (self-)monitor their own progress.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

·         one assignment of simultaneous interpreting of approx. 5 minutes on materials of increased difficulty at the end of the semester

Formative assessment

Students receive regular feedback on their preparation and interpreting skills during the practice in class. 

Module aims

• Enable students to acquire advanced skills and strategies for simultaneous interpreting
• Enable students to consolidate and expand the abilities and skills developed in “Simultaneous Interpreting I” and to apply them in a professional capacity through a range of exercises and role-play simulations. The focus of practice is on interpreting in a booth and whispered interpreting.
• Help students to prepare for professional practice in a wide variety of political and corporate communication situations through critical reflection upon different source language registers, subject areas and interpreting situations 

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

 The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Enable learning through simulated simultaneous interpreting assignments allowing for extensive practice using the Department’s simultaneous interpreting suite and including critical evaluation of student performance.


• Enable learning in language-pair specific group sessions allowing students to develop their practical skills and expertise in interpreting

• 
  language-pair specific practice (a minimum of 33 hours) that enables students to further develop their interpreting skills through extensive practice
  


• 
  guided practice and demonstrations by the tutor in class
  


• 
  weekly role-play simulations of ‘real-life’ interpreting tasks
  


• 
  group evaluation and discussion of interpreting problems in class
  


• 
  self-practice by students during which students are expected to spend at least 6 hours per week practising on interpreting materials, individually and in groups
  


• 
  independent study during which students are expected to to spend at least 4 hours per week researching the subject areas and are encouraged to develop Internet and research skills to enable them to find appropriate materials for preparation
  


• 
  where applicable, (self-)recording of students to enable them to analyse and enhance different aspects of their performance
  

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: TRAM398

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.