The Not Yet Ready for Prime Time Interpreter course is designed to provide a safe and systematic way for students in the University of Southern Maine's ASL/English Interpreting program to gain experience in the actual practice of interpreting. Students will practice interpreting at community events as members of a team that will include trained consumers acting in a mentorship role.

The course is a one (1) credit Pass/Fail offering. Prerequisites include successful completion of LIN 331 and permission from the instructor. Admission is by application, and priority will be given to students currently enrolled in USM's ASL-English Interpreter Training Program. In addition to the printed application form, each student candidate is required to submit a short video (on DVD or online) introducing herself/himself and stating why s/he wishes to participate in this program.

The instructors are Dr. Judy Shepard-Kegl, Brenda Schertz and John Dunleavy.

The course will include a series of short workshops/meetings, covering such issues as:

Limits and Boundaries
Interpersonal Skills
Feedback and Mentoring Methods
Institutional Support

The requirements for passing this course include completion of a minimum of ten (10) contact hours of interpreting assignments, plus completion of the introductory workshop. This course will help students to build a portfolio, documenting their interpreting experiences in this program.

Application forms are available from the links at right. Additional forms are available at the ASL Lab, University of Southern Maine, 49 Exeter Street, Portland, Maine. Applications need to be submitted by Monday, September 19, 2011.

The first class session will be held at the ASL Lab, from 3.30 to 4.30pm on Monday, September 19. Subsequent classes will be held at the same time on October 17, November 14 and December 5. There will be a final wrap-up and feedback session on December 12.

Contact info:

Dr. Judy Shepard-Kegl

Brenda Schertz

ASL Lab, USM
49 Exeter Street
Portland ME 04102
207-780-4989 V, 207-766-7098 VP

John Dunleavy

Alpha One
127 Main Street
S. Portland, ME, 04106
207-767-2189 V, 207-766-7127 VP

Forms

Please note that all of these forms are in Acrobat PDF format. You will need a reader.