Mindfulness for Interpreters: Optimizing Focus and Performance
Enhance your interpreting performance through mindfulness techniques grounded in cognitive research.
Overview
This four-module course is taught by Julie E. Johnson EdD, professor of translation and interpretation at the Middlebury Institute. She will teach you how to manage the stress of interpreting—in high-stakes settings, with difficult content, or under pressure to perform flawlessly—by giving you strategies to stay focused, maintain your composure, boost your working memory, and silence your inner critic.
Learn Online on Your Schedule
Mindfulness for Interpreters is a fully online, asynchronous, and self-paced course. You’ll enjoy the flexibility to learn on your own time, from anywhere in the world.
Curriculum
In this course, you will learn about the following:
- The cognitive and emotional challenges of interpreting and the underlying skills required to perform interpreting tasks well.
- Research showing the positive effects of mindfulness practice on interpreting and performing.
- How to strengthen the ability to focus and re-focus your attention.
- The body’s responses to stress and how to calm your own nerves.
- How to recognize and release self-critical thoughts that undermine performance.
- How to experience greater kindness toward yourself as you undertake the difficult work of interpreting.
This Course Is For You If…
- You are working as—or are interested in becoming—a professional in conference, medical, legal, or community interpreting, seeking to sharpen your focus and manage stress when the pressure is on.
- You want to go beyond basic coping mechanisms and learn evidence-based mindfulness techniques to optimize your cognitive performance.
- You’re ready to quiet that inner critic and cultivate a calm, clear mind to navigate even the most challenging interpreting assignments.
- You’re committed to your professional well-being and understand that mastering your mental state is key to peak performance and a more rewarding interpreting experience.
Course Specifics
- Type / Modality: Online
- Estimated completion time: 5-7 hours
- Number of modules: 4 modules plus introduction and conclusion
- Language of instruction: English
- Activities and content: Short video lectures, reflection questions, research articles, guided meditations, knowledge checks
- Requirements: A networked computer with the capability to download content and stream multimedia audio and video. The course has a reflection journal component that can be completed with a preferred note-taking application or with pen and paper
- Completion rewards: After you successfully complete this course by passing a knowledge check, you’ll earn a completion badge to share on your social media profiles and with current and potential employers.
Cost
- Registration price: $99
- Limited time discounted price: $59
- Middlebury Institute admitted students: Students admitted to our master’s degree programs can register for free; check your MIcommunity admitted students group for more info!
- Middlebury Institute current students, faculty, and staff: Register for free.
Related Programs
Short courses:
Degree and Certificate programs:
- MA in Translation, Translation and Interpretation, and Conference Interpretation
- MA in Interpretation for Diplomats and Executives
- Joint MA in Translation and Interpretation/Translation and Localization Management
- Certificate in Spanish Community Interpreting (online)
Contact Us
If you have any questions about the course, please contact proed@middlebury.edu.