by Barbara Garrett & Emily Giardin
Abstract
(View video abstract)
Believing that foundational ASL competencies are directly related to student interpreters’ success and certification readiness upon graduation. This study compared the expressive ASL competence of applicants with a two year interpreting degree to applicants with only ASL I-IV coursework. The four-year interpreter education pre-program screening results of 250 applicants, over an eight-year period, are compared, analyzing the expressive ASL competencies of the two groups. The data demonstrates that applicants from two-year interpreting programs and applicants who have only taken ASL I-IV possess similar expressive ASL competence. This study further examines if a two year degree in interpreting transfers into the junior-level of a four-year degree in interpreting. The conclusion of this study supports the call to action that others have stated over the last decade by providing quantifiable evidence for addressing national inefficiencies in interpreter education, that negatively impact both the student interpreters, and the quality of services provided to stakeholders.
Download PDF
Proceedings of the 2018 Biennial Conference
Reaching New Heights in Interpreter Education: Mentoring, Teaching & Leadership