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Gateways into Languages
Gateways into Languages: Graduate Placement Scheme Homepage |
Following the publication of Sir Alan Langlands's report on Gateways to the Professions in late 2005, the then DfES announced the £6m Gateways to the Professions Development Fund . The funding was made available over three years for "projects that tackle the full range of issues and barriers faced by people seeking to enter the professions through higher education". Provision for languages was amongst the recommendations in the Langlands report and CILT submitted a successful bid to the Gateways fund. The project, entitled Gateways to Languages, consists of three main strands:
- Strand 1a – Materials for outreach activity in schools, colleges and universities
- Strand 1b – Materials for use with potential mature recruits into the language professions
- Strand 2 – A model for structured work placements in translation companies for postgraduate students of translation
- Strand 4 - The production of language modules for engineering and construction students in HE
Strand 1 developed two sets of guidance materials to help practitioners promote the translation and interpreting professions in schools, colleges and HEIs as well as among mature entrants to the professions. There are guidelines available for professional translators and interpreters (pdf, 19KB) speaking at careers events in schools and colleges, as well as guidance for careers advisers and HE Access professionals (pdf, 14KB) on how to promote the profession to both younger learners and career changers.
For professional translators or interpreters who want to share their experiences with schools and colleges, there are also tips on presenting (Word, 35KB), as well as a PowerPoint template (699KB) for giving a presentation and even some sample translation (pdf, 23KB) and interpreting (pdf, 12KB) exercises.
In addition to the guidance materials, there are also two factsheets on careers in translation and interpreting. Both factsheets are part of the LanguagesWork suite of materials, but are aimed at different audiences. Making Sense, now available for order or download from the LanguagesWork website , is aimed at those learning or about to learn at language at school, college or university who might be considering a career in translation or interpreting. The factsheet Careers in Translation and Interpreting is designed for those who already have high level language or specialist skills and are considering training as a translator or interpreter.
In addition to the guidance materials, there are also two factsheets on careers in translation and interpreting. Both factsheets are part of the LanguagesWork suite of materials, but are aimed at different audiences. Making Sense, now available for order or download from the LanguagesWork website, is aimed at those learning or about to learn at language at school, college or university who might be considering a career in translation or interpreting. The factsheet Careers in Translation and Interpreting (pdf, 92KB) is designed for those who already have high level language or specialist skills and are considering training as a translator or interpreter.
The range of materials were officially launched in early 2008 after a pilot phase. This range is now being used by the National Networks for Interpreting and Translation as part of the Routes into Languages programme. They represent a link between both projects and have maximised the potential of the materials. The materials were developed with the invaluable support of CILT’s partners in the project, the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) and the Chartered Institute of Linguists (IoL), as well as additional support from the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC).
Strand 2 created a model for structured work placements in translation companies for postgraduate students of translation. It was developed by a partnership of CILT, the Universities of Aston, Leeds, London Metropolitan, Salford, Imperial College and Westminster, the Association of Translation Companies and five translation companies: ITR Ltd, Roevin, Temple Translations, thebigword and Transglobal Languages.
Piloting of the Graduate Placement Scheme took place over the second half of 2007. All the project partners have been actively involved and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The Graduate Placement Scheme handbook (pdf, 2.15MB), which is calibrated to the National Occupational Standards in Translation, will contribute to ensuring that employers in the sector understand what a graduate has achieved while on placement, and how "work ready" they are. The Handbook is now available to all Higher Education Institutions teaching translation and to ATC members. From September 2008, the National Network for Translation will host a web portal to advertise work placements to students on postgraduate translation courses.
In strand 4, four Universities, Bristol, Loughborough, Kingston and Salford, designed and piloted language modules linked to Engineering and Built Environment Degrees. Within each University, a language expert work closely with a vocational expert to design the modules in consultation with employers and professional bodies such as the Engineering Council UK and RICS, Construction Skills. Kingston University taught two intensive courses in French within an aeronautical context. . Salford University will delivered taster sessions in Arabic in the first semester, followed by a 20 hour course in Arabic within the context of surveying in semester two. Bristol developing a 20 hour course in French to be taught over 10 weeks within the context of avionics and Loughborough University offered an intensive an ab initio course in German linked to civil engineering.
All project partners have contributed to two fact sheets which make the case for languages in the Built Environment and Engineering. These will form part of CILT's Languages Work suite of publications.
