CHIN 7013EX - Translation and Interpreting Internship

External - Semester 1 - 2021

This course offers valuable learning to students from both Chinese and English speaking backgrounds, to enhance their translation and interpreting expertise in an 84-hour supervised practicum. This unit consists of three components: (1) observation of a practitioner approaching particular translation and/or interpreting tasks; (2) simulated work experience; and (3) work experience at an institution assigned and/or approved by the co-ordinator. Upon completion of this course, students are expected to (1) have accumulated competence, confidence and experience adequate for a future career in professional translation and interpreting; and (2) have developed an in-depth understanding of, and a clear conviction for the career of a professional translator and interpreter. Successful completion of the translation & interpreting internship is compulsory for recommendation for NAATI tests in translation and interpreting.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CHIN 7013EX
    Course Translation and Interpreting Internship
    Coordinating Unit Asian Studies
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s External
    Units 3
    Contact 84 hours total
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange
    Prerequisites Students who have successfully completed and/or are undertaking a translation course concurrently
    Incompatible CHIN 5015
    Assumed Knowledge Fluency in both Chinese and English
    Restrictions Available to M.A.(Int,Trans & Transc Comm) , G Dip InterpTrnsltn & TrnscultComm students only
    Course Description This course offers valuable learning to students from both Chinese and English speaking backgrounds, to enhance their translation and interpreting expertise in an 84-hour supervised practicum. This unit consists of three components: (1) observation of a practitioner approaching particular translation and/or interpreting tasks; (2) simulated work experience; and (3) work experience at an institution assigned and/or approved by the co-ordinator. Upon completion of this course, students are expected to (1) have accumulated competence, confidence and experience adequate for a future career in professional translation and interpreting; and (2) have developed an in-depth understanding of, and a clear conviction for the career of a professional translator and interpreter. Successful completion of the translation & interpreting internship is compulsory for recommendation for NAATI tests in translation and interpreting.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Ning Zhang

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1. learn specialised glossaries and ad hoc knowledge base required for specific translation & interpreting tasks
    2. gain an empirical understanding of issues as well as linguistic and cross-cultural challenges translators and interpreters face in their work
    3. apply theoretical concepts learned to practice in the real world
    4. gain a broad insight on working as a professional translator & interpreter
    5. identify areas one needs to improve on to become a competent professional translator and interpreter
    6. be conscious of deadlines and work effectively and efficiently as a team; recognise and understand ethical issues in professional and intellectual contexts of translation.
    7. enhance skills in communicating effectively in bi-lingual and cross-cultural settings
    8. understand accountability and responsibilities of a professional translator and interpreter
    9. facilitate communication in diverse and complex linguistic, socio-cultural settings and demonstrate leadership in these situations.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    3,4
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    6,7,9
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    5,6,9
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    8,9
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    5,9
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    English - Chinese dictionaries,
    Online reference resources
     
    Online Learning
    The MyUni site will be used to announce any information regarding the internship program and upcoming events/ activities that students are required or encouraged to attend. Important notices will also be emailed to students on a regular basis, via MyUni announcements.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Students are encouraged to contact potential employers at a government agency, private business, or an organisation who requests translation work by a student. A standard logbook will be provided for students to record their activities. Internship guidelines and evaluation report form will be provided to the supervisor at the workplace to assess students’ performance. Guest lectures by professional translators/interpreters or observation of professional translation/interpreting may be organised for students to gain an insight into how a practitioner approaches translation tasks.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    A minimum of 75 hours of placement at a government institution or organisation, or private business where translation and interpreting work requires. Depending on the requirement of the employer(s), these hours may be spread over a number of weeks. Guest lectures by professional translators/interpreters or observation of professional translation/interpreting may be organised for students to gain an insight into how a practitioner approaches translation tasks.

    The program workload includes:
    o up to 90 hours in total for the semester
    o Record of accumulated 60 minutes interpreting practice 20%
    o 2,500 English words translation sample for the semester 20%
    o 20 mins in-class reflection presentation on internship experience or 2,000 English words reflection paper 20%
    o Internship log at placement 15%
    o Employer evaluation report 25%
    Learning Activities Summary
    Week 1 Introduction, course guidelines and protocol in the workplace for work placement
    Week 2-11 Replacement
    Week 12/13 Student in-class reflection presentation (optional)
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment task                                               Task type                             Weighting                Course learning outcomes

    A. Internship log                                                 Formative & summative          15%                        3

    B. 2,500 English word translation samples               Formative & summative       20%                        1-3,6

    C. 60 min (accumulated) record of                         Formative & summative           20%                     1-5
    interpreting practice

    D. 20 min reflection presentation or 2,000               summative                           20%                     1-5
    English words reflection paper

    E. Employer’s evaluation report                               summative                             25%                         6-9
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Students are expected to pass all the four categories to pass this course. Final mark for this course is NFE with successful completion of all the requirement.
    Assessment Detail
    Internship Log
    Students are required to complete and submit their internship log, signed by their employer. 15%

    Translation and Interpreting Sample of 2,500 English Words in Length
    Students are required to submit 4,000 English word translation and interpreting samples that they have completed during their placement. The translation can be either from English to Chinese and Chinese to English, or both. 20%

    60 min (accumulated) record of interpreting practice
    Record of interpreting work if and wherever appropriate, or diary of interpreting practice. 20%

    In-class Reflection Presentation or Witten reflection paper submitted to the course coordinator
    Students are required to give a 20 min class presentation reflecting on their internship experience. A printed copy of the PPT is to be submitted after the presentation. Alternatively, the course coordinator will request submission of 2,000 English reflection paper at the end of the Semester. 20%

    Employer’s Evaluation Report
    Students must submit a report from each employer, which assesses the students’ performance in translation and their professional work ethic during the internship. 25%
    Submission

    No information currently available.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

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