Prerequisites

Prior to enrolling in Legal Simultaneous Interpreting I, you must have completed the specified prerequisites (if you have not taken a prerequisite, you can click on the catalog code link to see a list of upcoming course sections):

Legal & Medical Interpretation: Spanish Certificate Program Application
Prerequisite You must have at least a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. You must provide proof of proficiency in both English and Spanish. Documentation of at least one of the following from each list is needed to demonstrate proficiency. Please scan and email all documents to ce-assistant@unlv.edu. To avoid any potential security risks transferred through unsecured email, please remove references to social security numbers or confidential information on your documents prior to email submission. If you have several documents for one language, please scan them as one file for upload. Files must be received three business days prior to course start. Students who started the program prior to August 2018 and have earned a passing grade in any of the five courses are exempt from the proficiency requirements. Acceptable Documents for Evidence of English Proficiency High school diploma from a high school in the U.S. or other English language country or from an American School abroad. Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, or any other degree from an institution of higher education in the U.S. or other English language country. Language testing such as one of the following tests: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): 570+ on paper; 230+ on computer version; 90+ on iBT. ELPT (English Language Proficiency Test): 950+ MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) 80+ ECPE (Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English): PASS FCE (First Certificate in English, Level 3): A CAE (Certificate in Advanced English, Level 4): B CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English, Level 5): B IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 7.0 ACTFL Oral Exams (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages): Advanced Mid Level - both the OPI (telephonic) and OPIc (computer recording) are acceptable. Acceptable Documents for Evidence of Spanish Proficiency (Documents must be translated into English) High school diploma from a high school in a country where Spanish is spoken Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, or any other degree from an institution of higher education where Spanish is spoken. 24+ semester college credit hours of Spanish Language Testing ACTFL Oral Exams (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages): Advanced Mid Level - both the OPI (telephonic) and OPIc (computer recording) are acceptable. Time spent studying and/or working where the applicant was required to perform tasks at a professional level in Spanish at least 75% of the time. Language Testing If you do not have documents from the list(s) to demonstrate proficiency, you can take English or Spanish language proficiency exams online through our partnership with Language Testing International. Download instructions on how to access and schedule the exam. Please note, you must choose Exam Level 4 or higher to be evaluated for an advanced-mid level rating. You must have access to a computer with internet, microphone, and video capability to take the exam.

Introduction to Legal Interpreting
Legal interpreting is a complex process that requires specialized training in: interpreting techniques (sight translation, consecutive interpreting and simultaneous interpreting), legal language, and the legal system. In this class, you will receive a thorough introduction into the American court system; you will learn legal terminology, court proceedings, and the ethics of court interpreting. This course is approved for 12 CE credits with the Supreme Court of Nevada: Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).

Legal Sight Translation
Sight translation is frequently used in the legal environment, for example, when reading a witness statement or a court order. It is normally the first step before learning the techniques of simultaneous interpreting. You will receive an introduction to the three most common legal interpreting modes (consecutive interpreting, simultaneous interpreting, and sight translation), learn the techniques to be able to sight translate, and be able to practice those techniques using real documents. This course is approved for 12 CE credits with the Supreme Court of Nevada: Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).

If you have previously taken courses with us, check your Registration History to see if any of your past courses meet the prerequisites.

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