Note-Taking for Consecutive Interpretation

Overview

This three-module course, taught by Middlebury Institute Professor Laura Burian, will teach you handwritten note-taking principles, methods, and skills that will rapidly elevate your consecutive interpretation technique.

This noncredit course is adapted from coursework in our translation and interpretation master’s degrees and is recognized by several professional organizations for continuing education units.

Learn Online on Your Schedule

Note-Taking for Consecutive Interpretation is a completely online, asynchronous, and self-paced course. You’ll enjoy the flexibility to learn on your own time, from anywhere in the world.

An Essential Primer for Interpreters

In this highly visual course, you will learn:

• Key concepts and definitions, interpretation skills, the role of notes, memory skills, learning styles, and speech types.
• Tools to support listening, memory, and analysis, including how to select keywords and organize content.
• What and when to note.
• Abbreviations, symbols, negatives, numbers, and verb tenses, and how to incorporate them into notes.
• Primary elements of layout, including chunking content into meaning units, and the placement of various elements on the page.
• How to practice each skill in isolation, in combination, and independently beyond the course. 

Whether you are just getting started on your interpretation career or you’re a seasoned pro, this course will help you boost your productivity and efficiency.

This Course Is For You If…

• You want to learn fundamental note-taking techniques and frameworks for consecutive interpreters.
• You are looking for ways to increase the professionalism and organization of your note-taking techniques for consecutive interpretation.
• You wish to strengthen your memory and information processing.
• You seek to improve your note-taking skills for professional interpretation in a range of contexts, including healthcare, business, conference, legal, educational, or diplomatic settings.

Course Specifics

• Type / Modality: Online
• Estimated completion time: 5-7 hours
• Number of modules: 3
• Activities and content: Video lessons, readings, deliberate note-taking practice, short knowledge checks, and and self-reflection activities
• Requirements: 
  • Networked computer with access to either Google Docs or Microsoft Word/Sharepoint for auto-transcription generation
  • Headset or good microphone
  • Recording device
  • Pens in two different colors
  • Stenography pad or digital tablet with a digital pen
• Completion rewards: After you successfully complete this course, you’ll earn a certificate of completion and a badge to share on your social media profiles and with current and potential employers.

Continuing Education Units

This program is recognized by the following professional organizations:

• CEAP directed by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters for 5.00 CE hours. CEAP accreditation #10422 as of March 2024.
• Education Committee for the International Medical Interpreters Association (IMIA) and National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters approved for 0.5 IMIA/NBCMI CEUs with the unique Education Registry ID 24-1084 as of April 2024.
• This course may qualify for other CEU credits from the American Translators Association. ATA members may be able to earn ATA CEPs for the course, but they will have to submit the Independent Study Form under category B.

Cost

• Registration price: $99
• 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.

Contact Us

• If you have any questions about the course, please contact proed@middlebury.edu. 
• This course does not count for credit toward a master’s program. If you are interested in a master’s program, visit our translation and interpretations master’s programs.