|
Interpretation & Translation Services
ICIU's is Iowa's premier translation and interpretation service in the state of Iowa and has offered its services to businesses, schools, organizations and individuals through a network of more than 100 interpreters and translators specializing in over 42 languages and dialects for over 30 years. ICIU's network of interpreters and translators are thoroughly screened and adhere to signed to codes of conduct and confidentiality. More than this, over 90% of ICIU's interpreters and translators are native speakers, ensuring that interpreters possess the important cultural knowledge and skills to assist in crossing both linguistic and cultural barriers.
ICIU continues to strive to not only meet the increasing demand for interpretive services, but also to improve the quality of the services provided. To achieve this, ICIU has launched a series of programs aimed at the professional development of its network, the education of its clients and the increased accessibility of its services.
Tour Guide Training
Client Education Workshops
Interpreter/Translator Professional Development
Tour Guide Training
ICIUand the Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitor’s Bureau will host the first tour guide training session to teach local, professional interpreters how to be step-on tour guides for the city of Des Moines in order to better serve international visitors in our capitol city.
The two-part training sessions will take place on April 18th and May 2nd from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Convention & Visitor’s Bureau offices in downtown Des Moines. The workshops will instruct interpreters on a variety of topics relating to best practices for step-on tour guides such as presentation of information, consideration of visitors’ health and safety, and answering visitors’ questions suitably. The step-on tour guides will also learn interesting facts and detailed information about local attractions and historical sites, as well as further information about ICIU and the Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitor’s Bureau.
The first day of training will focus on informing participants of the training topics, while the second session will allow students to practice their tour techniques, receive constructive feedback and answer any final questions they may have. In addition to the training sessions, attendees will receive pamphlet and brochure information regarding tour sites.
This workshop will be provided FREE of charge to participants thanks to the Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitor’s Bureau and ICIU.
Back to Top
Client Education Workshops
ICIU hosted its first client education workshop, “Getting the Most from Translation and Interpretation Services,” for Des Moines businesses, organizations, and social service providers who either currently use or could potentially use interpretation and translation services for their clientele.
The workshop took place on March 27th, at the DMACC Urban Campus in downtown Des Moines. The workshop reached its maximum capacity of twenty-five participants ranging from all types of organizations within the Des Moines area such as Iowa Legal Aid, Child Serve, Broadlawns, Iowa Courts and Drake Head-Start, among many others.
The workshop facilitator, Michael Piper, covered a variety of topics relating to language access issues such as the need for an interpreter, language access requirements and best practices, benefits of translation and interpretation services, as well as the legal requirements of institutions and organizations to provide interpretation and translation services for their clientele.
ICIU received much positive feedback from its participants regarding this client education workshop and plans to create a subsequent workshop for its clients and other organizations of Des Moines. Due to the vast interest in another workshop, ICIU will either cover similar material to this workshop or will provide more in-depth information regarding translation and interpretation services such as how to choose an interpreter and the role of an interpreter within your organization’s services.
This workshop will be provided free of charge to local businesses and providers thanks to generous grants and donations from Prairie Meadows, Principal Financial Group and DMACC.
Back to Top
Professional Development Training Program
August Workshop 2008
Overview
Our first training programs were held in August and November in 2008. As a language service provider, we created a goal for our professional interpreters and translators to receive the training and resources necessary to ensure that they are knowledgeable and well-versed on ethics and protocol, certification processes, and professional development/continuing educational opportunities. The training workshops were approved by the Des Moines Area Community College as Continuing Education Courses and attendees received course credit.
 
Mr. Michael J. Piper. J.D., M.L., M.S. August Workshop 2008
President of the Iowa Interpreters and Translators Association
Workshop Professor- August and November 2008
Unique Features of Our Training Program
This professional development workshop provides the opportunity to assess current interpretation and translation skills through a snapshot view of their current abilities. Through this snapshot, a professional interpreter/translator can provide each person at the workshop with specific and individualized advice on how to improve their own skills. This individualized, personal analysis improves all interpreter/translator skills and confidence. This workshop is free for all approved ICIU interpreters and translators.
Information Covered in the Training Program
- What the current status of the interpretation/translation profession is on the national and state levels
- How to maximize work experience with ICIU’s Translation and Interpretation Services
- Current and new rules for interpreting in Iowa Courts and other legal/law enforcements entities
- What what is necessary to know when working in healthcare and human services interpretation and translation in Iowa
- What the need for educational interpreters and translators is in Iowa
- How to develop interpretation and translation opportunities in the business and tourism sectors
- The current status of certification and credentialing in Iowa for interpreters and translators
- Business basics for interpreters and translators
- How to identify current strengths and weaknesses in interpretation and translation
- How to use the correct mode of interpretation for each type of interpreting situation
- What the proper interpreter protocols are and how to use them
- How to improve translation techniques
- How to identify and avoid ethics pitfalls in interpretation and translation
- What are the most useful resources for interpreters and translators
- How to continue professional development as an interpreter and translator
A Special Thank You to the Sponsors of our Program
Des Moines Area Community College, Principle Financial Group, and Prarie Meadows
  
Workshop Presenter and Planning Committee
Cammeo Medici joined the ICIU team in June 2008. She has assumed the position of International Language Programs and Intern Manager. Sally Bates, Administrative Assistant, Iowa Multilingual Solutions, LLC; Janet Drake, Continuing Education Coordinator, DMACC, Michael J. Piper, Operating Manager, Iowa Multilingual Solutions, LLC; and Amanda Seaton, Continuing Education Administrative Assistant, DMACC all helped make this workshop possible.
Interested in More Information About ICIU Workshops and Training Programs?
Contact Cammeo Medici at cammeo.medici@iciu.org or 515.282.8269 x16.
Back to Top
|