Communicating through interpreters (2.5 hours)
This half-day course is for anyone who sometimes needs to use an interpreter to communicate with people who do not speak fluent English. It is particularly relevant for front-line workers, team leaders and managers.
An interpreter often plays a crucial role when we work with customers who do not speak English. Without their assistance we would not be able to provide a service to a wide range of customers including refugees, migrants, some settled minority ethnic people and sign language speakers. But many workers find the experience of using an interpreter quite difficult. They are unsure of how to communicate, what the interpreter should and should not do and how to ensure that all parties fully understand each other. In this half-day course we clarify exactly what the interpreter’s role is, examine best practice in working with them, and discuss some of the ethical and professional issues involved.