Training & Workshops
Educational interpreters need a safe place to work on their skills. C & C Connection, LLC prides itself in the fact that all of our workshops and study groups are designed to be a SAFE place to work on skill and knowledge development. Workshops range from 1 1/2 hours to 3 hours to 6 hours and study groups range from 10 hours to 16 hours.
All of these workshops can be presented either face to face or via Zoom. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have adjusted to the Zoom platform with much success.
3-hour workshops
EIPA Written Test: What You Need to Know
This workshop is designed to provide practice and preparation for the Written EIPA test. Participants will be involved in discussion and will gain knowledge in the sub-categories within the EIPA. We will explore the history and development of the EIPA. Vocabulary/concepts specific to the EIPA will be taught / discussed.
3 hour -- This is not designed to be a comprehensive preparation for the test -- that will require more intense study; this workshop is designed to give an overview of the concepts found on the EIPA Written test. For more in depth study, look at the study groups below.
Don't be Passive: Learning How to Interpret Passive Voice Texts
Are You Lost in the Numbers? Interpreting Elementary Math
This three-hour workshop will focus on bringing the elementary Math class to life for the DHH students we work with. So often interpreters are stuck in the linear English that they hear or read which results in a more linear interpretation. This does not benefit the DHH student who is trying to learn Math concepts. We will review the basic ASL numbering systems and practice some scenarios/word problems using those systems. We will also practice setting up Math problems visually in space and manipulating them so the student will have a better chance of understanding the concept.
Are You Lost in the Numbers? Interpreting Secondary Math
This three-hour workshop will focus on bringing Algebra and Geometry classes to life for the DHH students we work with. So often interpreters are stuck in the linear English that they hear or read which results in a more linear interpretation. This does not benefit the DHH student who is trying to learn Math concepts. We will review some of the basic Algebra and Geometry concepts and practice setting them up in space to create a visual representation. Once participants are able to set things up visually, they can then manipulate them to fit a multitude of different problems depending on what concepts the teacher is working on that particular day. Much of this session will be actual practicing signing of different concepts.
Educational Interpreter Ethics: Don't Get Stuck in the DO++ DO++
Why are educational interpreters afraid to fingerspell? Have they been told not to fingerspell because the students won’t be able to understand the words anyway? Have they been told to go ahead and make up signs rather than fingerspell? Are they afraid they will get behind if they take time to fingerspell? Do they have sub-par spelling skills themselves? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then this workshop is for you. Fingerspelling is a vitally important component of the educational process and interpreters need to be very comfortable with fingerspelling in this setting. The more students see fingerspelling, the more likely their English literacy skills will improve. (3 hours)
How Do You Say That in "SAD"?
Have you ever had to interpret a joke at a funeral and weren’t sure how to do that? Some interpreters lack the linguistic knowledge and skill to incorporate affect into their interpreting effectively. When this happens, clients are left to figure out the true nuances of the message for themselves. Clients deserve true access to the meta-message and affect of the speaker they are interacting with. This interactive workshop will assist interpreters with incorporating affect into their work to solidify the interpreted message. (3 hours)
Interpreting Figurative Language for a Literal kiddo… say what?
Health Class: It's Not Just Body Parts
Pragmatically Speaking: WHY are we doing this?
Educational interpreters are a unique group of interpreters with a very specialized set of roles and responsibilities that are different from the average community interpreter. When looked at as a sub category of interpreting, educational interpreters are often viewed as the least professional group and sometimes the least important. It is our view that educational interpreters are the MOST IMPORTANT and because of this, we need to know exactly what the roles and responsibilities are, as well as how to portray the most professional behaviors possible to change the perception that we are “less than”. Interpreters in schools are often asked to do some tasks that may seem outside the “role”, but may actually fit in their role. This workshop will explore different roles and responsibilities that may be asked of educational interpreters as well as how to behave in a professional manner within the school setting.
Seeing The BIG Picture: Focusing on the Main Idea
Spaced Out: Making Use of ASL Space Work in Educational Settings
Interpreting from ASL to English (Voicing) is an often underused and undeveloped skill for educational interpreters. Many deaf and hard of hearing students speak for themselves in the school setting. This workshop is designed to build on the voicing skills learned in the first two S-V workshops in this series with focus on producing a clear and equivalent English message at the discourse level – conveying the concepts and intent of the message while letting go of some of the specifics. (6 hours each) -- levels 3 & 4 of voicing
Unmentionables in Educational Interpreting: Those "sticky" topics