“Putting ASL/English Interpreter Education Programs to the Test”
Abstract
You have graduated from an ASL/English Interpreting Program – now what? One of the most prevalent issues after graduation is when to take “the test;” that is, the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID’s) National Interpreter Certification (NIC) test. The question of “Am I prepared?” or “When is it a good time to take the test?” lingers over the head of almost every recent graduate; most wait months, if not years, before their first attempt. Contrary to the popular belief, those who have recently graduated from an Interpreter Education Program (IEP) are prepared to take the NIC written straight out of the program. [Read full text]
Methodology
The author of this study, Ashley C. Paul, is currently a senior in Western Oregon University’s ASL/English Interpreting Program. Her study investigated the effect that going through an Interpreter Education Program has on the outcome of the NIC test, as well as addressed the issue of “the gap” between graduation and certification. To collect the data for this study, a survey was sent out to the Interpreting Community in the Salem and Portland (Oregon) areas via a surveying site called “surveymonkey.com.” The site has a simplified program that allows the researcher to create questions in a format that is specific to what he or she needs, collects the data instantly after the individuals have submitted their responses, and allows for effortless analysis of data results. Some of the questions that were asked were: “How long have you been interpreting?”, “Are you nationally certified?”, and “What advice would you give to those who have not yet taken the NIC tests?” Altogether, there were fourteen sources that contributed to this research project.
|
Homepage
Back
|