Courses to help you interpret for your community  

Put your language skills to use and discover how to become a community interpreter in your area. If you are wondering “what is a community interpreter?” or “what interpreting qualifications do I need? Then read on.   

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Community interpreting helps people - by translating when they cannot understand enough English to engage with public services. It can be a paid job or volunteer role, using bilingual language skills to help others. 

Giving others a voice  

You’ll give a voice to other people in your local area and help them access vital public services. You’ll make a difference to other people’s lives and help them when they need it the most. In addition, you’ll open up the opportunity for paid work. 

Language skills are important, but there is much more to it. It’s not just about being fluent in English and another language.  It is about understanding the public services involved and knowing how to deal with cultural sensitivities.  

Interpreting in your local community

To help you become a community interpreter, we offer a range of courses. From short introductions to the role to longer, community interpreting qualifications.  Our short, taster classes give you an insight into the work of an interpreter and what skills you will need to translate for others. 

Becoming a qualified interpreter

To become a qualified interpreter and start working in paid roles, you’ll need to work towards a level 3 certificate in community interpreting.  From the first steps, to your final qualification, the WEA will be with you every step of the way. 

How much will it cost to train? We offer free or part-funded courses to help you reach your goals. 

During the application process, we’ll ask you to complete a few simple tasks and talk about your experience, to ensure you start at the right place.

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Award in Preparation for Work in Community Interpreting Level 2

The role of the community interpreter is an integral part of our changing communities and increasingly important. The interpreter acts as a bridge between communities and enables people to access the services they need and approach situations which otherwise would not be possible. The Level 2 Certificate in Preparing for the Community Interpreting Role enables learners who are speakers of other languages to develop the language and skills necessary to go on and train as Community Interpreters at Level 3 and Level 4. This is the ideal qualification for anyone who wants to enter the interpreting profession and become a paid interpreter or volunteer in the UK.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 23/11/2023 -
Thu 29/02/2024
Times:
10:00am - 2:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Tutor:
Mafalda Do Rosario Amadeu
Course code:
Q00012139
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
5 places remaining
Status:
In progress
Fee range
Free to £300.00

Understanding the Role of a Community Interpreter

Are you bilingual? Ever thought about using your language skills to help out in the community? Did you know you can get many jobs with languages? If you speak English and another language fluently, you could make a great community interpreter. This community interpreter course gives you an introduction to the language and interpreting skills needed for this type of work. It can teach you foundational concepts to test your community interpreting skills informally with family or friends. This course can prepare you to help members of your family or community to overcome language barriers in their everyday lives. It can also help you decide if you’re interested in pursuing community interpreting jobs.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 10/01/2024 -
Wed 24/04/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
The Forum (Norwich)
Millennium Plain
Norwich
NR2 1TF
Tutor:
Nicky Turner
Course code:
Q00012919
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.80

Award in Preparation for Work in Community Interpreting Level 2

The role of the community interpreter is an integral part of our changing communities and increasingly important. The interpreter acts as a bridge between communities and enables people to access the services they need and approach situations which otherwise would not be possible. The Level 2 Certificate in Preparing for the Community Interpreting Role enables learners who are speakers of other languages to develop the language and skills necessary to go on and train as Community Interpreters at Level 3 and Level 4. This is the ideal qualification for anyone who wants to enter the interpreting profession and become a paid interpreter or volunteer in the UK.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 12/01/2024 -
Fri 22/03/2024
Times:
10:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Sahara In Preston (Preston)
48 Fishwick Parade
Preston
PR1 4XQ
Tutor:
Kailash Parekh
Course code:
Q00012616
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £300.00

Community Interpreting Beginners: Information and Study Skills

This course is funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority On this course you will gain an overview of the role of a Community Interpreter and develop your literacy and digital skills in preparation for your next step which is a level 1 Understanding the Role of a Community Interpreter course. You will gain an insight into the role of a community interpreter and what to expect on our level 1 and level 2 courses.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 12/01/2024 -
Fri 26/01/2024
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Dolphin Centre (Birmingham)
Ward End Park
Washwood Heath Road
Birmingham
B8 2HB
Tutor:
Fozia Aslam
Course code:
Q00012492
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.80

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Just add us to your basket to sign up today!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
WEA Membership

Using Canvas to Learn

Studying online is a fun and effective way to learn. This course will teach you to use Canvas so that you can get the most out of WEA courses. You’ll learn digital skills to support you to study WEA online courses. This Canvas course is ideal for you if you’re considering taking a WEA course but feel unsure of your digital skills. It’s appropriate for complete beginners, so don’t worry if this is new to you.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 15/01/2024 -
Wed 17/01/2024
Times:
6:00pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
WEA York Court (Bristol)
7 York Court
Wilder Street
Bristol
BS2 8QH
Tutor:
Aleksandra Novikova
Course code:
Q00009306
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £21.00

Understanding the Role of a Community Interpreter

Are you bilingual? Ever thought about using your language skills to help out in the community? Did you know you can get many jobs with languages? If you speak English and another language fluently, you could make a great community interpreter. This community interpreter course gives you an introduction to the language and interpreting skills needed for this type of work. It can teach you foundational concepts to test your community interpreting skills informally with family or friends. This course can prepare you to help members of your family or community to overcome language barriers in their everyday lives. It can also help you decide if you’re interested in pursuing community interpreting jobs.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 22/01/2024 -
Wed 21/02/2024
Times:
6:00pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
WEA York Court (Bristol)
7 York Court
Wilder Street
Bristol
BS2 8QH
Tutor:
Aleksandra Novikova
Course code:
Q00009304
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Award in Preparation for Work in Community Interpreting Level 2

The role of the community interpreter is an integral part of our changing communities and increasingly important. The interpreter acts as a bridge between communities and enables people to access the services they need and approach situations which otherwise would not be possible. The Level 2 Certificate in Preparing for the Community Interpreting Role enables learners who are speakers of other languages to develop the language and skills necessary to go on and train as Community Interpreters at Level 3 and Level 4. This is the ideal qualification for anyone who wants to enter the interpreting profession and become a paid interpreter or volunteer in the UK. The session on March 11th will take place face to face- Venue TBC.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 22/01/2024 -
Wed 01/05/2024
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
24 sessions
Tutor:
Olena Kolesnyk
Course code:
Q00010880
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £300.00

Understanding the Role of a Community Interpreter

Are you bilingual? Ever thought about using your language skills to help out in the community? Did you know you can get many jobs with languages? If you speak English and another language fluently, you could make a great community interpreter. This community interpreter course gives you an introduction to the language and interpreting skills needed for this type of work. It can teach you foundational concepts to test your community interpreting skills informally with family or friends. This course can prepare you to help members of your family or community to overcome language barriers in their everyday lives. It can also help you decide if you’re interested in pursuing community interpreting jobs. There will be once face to face session on 13th February at at venue TBC.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 23/01/2024 -
Tue 30/04/2024
Times:
9:15am - 11:45am
Duration:
14 sessions
Tutor:
Olena Kolesnyk
Course code:
Q00010877
How you'll learn:
Online and in venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £129.40

Understanding the Role of a Community Interpreter

Are you bilingual? Ever thought about using your language skills to help out in the community? Did you know you can get many jobs with languages? If you speak English and another language fluently, you could make a great community interpreter. This community interpreter course gives you an introduction to the language and interpreting skills needed for this type of work. It can teach you foundational concepts to test your community interpreting skills informally with family or friends. This course can prepare you to help members of your family or community to overcome language barriers in their everyday lives. It can also help you decide if you’re interested in pursuing community interpreting jobs.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 02/02/2024 -
Fri 12/04/2024
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Dolphin Centre (Birmingham)
Ward End Park
Washwood Heath Road
Birmingham
B8 2HB
Tutor:
Fozia Aslam
Course code:
Q00012352
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.80

Award in Preparation for Work in Community Interpreting Level 2

The role of the community interpreter is an integral part of our changing communities and increasingly important. The interpreter acts as a bridge between communities and enables people to access the services they need and approach situations which otherwise would not be possible. The Level 2 Certificate in Preparing for the Community Interpreting Role enables learners who are speakers of other languages to develop the language and skills necessary to go on and train as Community Interpreters at Level 3 and Level 4. This is the ideal qualification for anyone who wants to enter the interpreting profession and become a paid interpreter or volunteer in the UK.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 07/02/2024 -
Wed 17/07/2024
Times:
9:15am - 11:45am
Duration:
19 sessions
Location:
Daubeney Children's Centre/ Primary Scho
103 Daubeney Road
Hackney
London
E5 0EG
Tutor:
Mariann Meszaros
Course code:
Q00012806
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £300.00