Overview
The Specialist Certificate in Professional Interpreting is the only programme in Singapore that offers specialised training in conference interpreting in a state-of-the-art interpreting laboratory. Focusing on the English/Chinese language pair, the specialist certificate highlights the key differences between translation and interpreting, and develops core skills unique to interpreting, including notes-taking, memory enhancement, public speaking, de-verbalisation, shadowing, and sight translation.
Learning is anchored in authentic materials, with students working on real-life speeches that present the day-to-day challenges faced by professional interpreters. Training begins with consecutive interpreting in social and liaison settings, progresses to conference-level interpreting, and culminates in simultaneous interpreting for high-stakes contexts such as international conferences and parliamentary debates. Materials include short passages and extended speeches, covering a wide range of topics, from politics, diplomacy, economics and business to court proceedings, investigative interviews, science and technology.
By the end of the specialist certificate, students will be equipped to meet the intellectual, linguistic and cultural demands of professional interpreting with confidence and competence.
Curriculum
The specialist certificate consists of 4 courses, which can be completed within 1 year.
Eligibility
The specialist certificate is open to CET students as well as students enrolled in an undergraduate programme.
- At least 18 years of age.
- GCE A-Level with two passes (prior to 2006) or two H2 passes (from 2006), local polytechnic diploma, International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, or NUS High School diploma.
- Applicants with a ITE diploma or other diploma qualifications plus an acceptable SAT or ACT (with writing) score may be considered for admission on a case by case basis.
- If not, at least 5 GCE O-Level passes and an interview.
Fees
Please click here for the course fees. SkillsFuture Credit and other schemes may be used to offset the course fees.
The application fee is $60 (before GST) for first-time CET applications, which is non-refundable.
Completion
To attain the specialist certificate, students need to pass all the courses. Students are encouraged to complete all the courses within 3 years.
Upon meeting the requirements, CET students can apply for the certificate and go on to pursue BA Translation and Interpretation. Only courses with at least a C grade can stack towards the bachelor's degree.
Students enrolled in BA Translation and Interpretation will be automatically issued the certificate upon meeting the requirements.
Certification
Upon completing the specialist certificate, Students can take the Certification Examination for Professional Interpreters (CEPI). Those who pass the examination will be certified as ‘Accredited Professional Interpreter’.
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