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Post by snell_mouse on Apr 21, 2015 11:37:14 GMT 9
Hey guys,
So I've been asked to conduct some interviews in English for people interested in becoming interpreting volunteers, like a kind of 選抜 interview. The point is to see if they have enough English ability to do basic interpreting, and the top 20 or so people will be able to take a 養成講座 and learn the basics.
Does anybody have experience with this sort of thing or any ideas for the best way to figure this out? We do have some guidelines based on this thing called CEFR where we want people to speak at a B level or above (if that means anything to anybody), but I feel like it might be hard to judge how good one person's English is vs. another (if my experience judging at a speech contest was any indication).
We will also only have about 5 minutes per person (less is apparently ideal). I'm thinking maybe I can just pick a simple article of some sort (maybe news, maybe just some sort of popular culture thing) to give them to read in advance, then ask them their questions/opinions on it, kind of like the JET interview. I'm also debating about making them read part of it out loud, because that would be a good way to get an idea of pronunciation, etc. but might be a waste of time since I'll be having an actual conversation, too.
Anyway, any opinions/input would be greatly appreciated! よろしく～
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Post by Snowbird on Apr 21, 2015 11:54:52 GMT 9
Hi snell_mouse,
I don't know if this helps, but when I interview people to test their English ability, I usually just ask them to introduce themselves in English and then ask them follow-up questions about whatever topic comes up. Then I gauge their English ability by whether or not I have to simplify my own English in order to carry on a conversation with them. Are we limited to basic topics, like whether or not we like cheese, or can we discuss the relative merits of gouda and munster?
When I interview people to test their interpretation ability, I just write a short script representing a typical situation in which they would need to interpret, read it line-by-line, and ask them to interpret. I find that the strengths and weaknesses that come out in this type of interview are pretty indicative of what the person will be like on the job.
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Post by snell_mouse on Apr 21, 2015 12:00:09 GMT 9
Thanks Snowbird! Using whether or not you have to adjust your own English for a conversation sounds like a great way to differentiate; that never occurred to me. I'm not sure about asking them to interpret right off the bat though, because I don't want to scare them too much, especially since I doubt any of them have any sort of experience.
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keio chris
Dead Stargod 
ever looked a star dragon in the eyes?
Posts: 3,043
CIR Experience: Former CIR
Location: Tokyo
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Post by keio chris on Apr 21, 2015 12:57:28 GMT 9
We have volunteers for when cruise ships come, but since beggars can't be choosers, we basically just take anyone willing to help out, asking them to tell us their level.
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G-Rex
Dead Stargod
killed SAKAMOTO LYOMA with crappa sushi
hi
Posts: 7,198 
CIR Experience: Former CIR
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Post by G-Rex on Apr 21, 2015 13:01:36 GMT 9
only slightly similar to what you're doing but i'll chime in with when i had to sit in our interviews for our new 嘱託職員 position who also does a bunch of translation
i would say that the most important things in interpreting are a clear pronounciation (in both languages), an audible voice, and the ability to not "translate what you want to say", but rather "think in the target language". i think the first two are particularly important because those are the things/habits that are hardest to change/kick. our older translation lady is really damn good at english but sometimes i have no idea what she's trying to say because her pronounciation kinda blows sometimes.
given that, idk if it's worth spending/wasting time on giving them an article to read aloud. you can see how their pronounciation and stuff is from normal conversation, and what you're testing isn't really reading comprehension. might be worth preparing a recording of an easy sentence or two in english and ask them to put it into japanese if you're going to do any kind of "standardised test"
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Post by snell_mouse on Apr 21, 2015 13:13:48 GMT 9
Hmm I guess the reason I was thinking about the article is that the guidelines we're going with have a specific set of criteria for each level: can understand topics that are close to them like hobbies/schools/future goals, can express their own opinions on things they are interested in, etc. etc. and it seems easier to test things like that by having everybody read the same thing and seeing how much they understand.
I guess having them read aloud is kind of a waste of time after all though.
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G-Rex
Dead Stargod
killed SAKAMOTO LYOMA with crappa sushi
hi
Posts: 7,198
CIR Experience: Former CIR
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Post by G-Rex on Apr 21, 2015 13:15:11 GMT 9
oh
well in that case it might be worth thinking back to any language oral exams you had and just try and kinda replicate that?
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Post by Researcher Irish on Apr 23, 2015 16:51:12 GMT 9
Which B level is it on the CEFR ma cherie?
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Post by snell_mouse on Apr 24, 2015 13:22:56 GMT 9
B1 and up is fine, apparently!
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Post by Researcher Irish on Apr 24, 2015 17:01:30 GMT 9
B1 and up is fine, apparently! Because they are volunteers that makes sense. |
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Post by jitenshaa on May 11, 2015 16:34:12 GMT 9
hi guys in this thread
so i have to do this for a person they want to send to interpret when they are negotiating some business.
when you give the candidates interpretation assignments, do you give them in japanese or in english, or both?
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Post by snell_mouse on May 12, 2015 9:04:54 GMT 9
I imagine both would be ideal, but if they're mainly only going to be doing one side, then I feel like just that one is okay too?
Or I would say make them interpret into their non-native language, since that's usually harder and then you'll know that they can probably do the same or better in the other direction.
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Post by Researcher Irish on May 13, 2015 15:39:49 GMT 9
I imagine both would be ideal, but if they're mainly only going to be doing one side, then I feel like just that one is okay too? Or I would say make them interpret into their non-native language, since that's usually harder and then you'll know that they can probably do the same or better in the other direction. Personally, if it was me going for that interview than I would want notice beforehand that its just going to be non-native language because I mean I would expect both and prepare for both so if it was just one Id feel a bit stiffed. (I would also care more if it was into the non native langauge because that is more difficult. Just my opinion. |
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Post by jitenshaa on May 13, 2015 15:43:53 GMT 9
I imagine both would be ideal, but if they're mainly only going to be doing one side, then I feel like just that one is okay too? Or I would say make them interpret into their non-native language, since that's usually harder and then you'll know that they can probably do the same or better in the other direction. Personally, if it was me going for that interview than I would want notice beforehand that its just going to be non-native language because I mean I would expect both and prepare for both so if it was just one Id feel a bit stiffed. (I would also care more if it was into the non native langauge because that is more difficult. Just my opinion. i read a few of the sentences in the interpretation handbook we received from T/I and asked the candidate to interpret... she was baffled... predictably because the sentences were a little difficult. i felt bad afterwards  |
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Post by Researcher Irish on May 13, 2015 15:46:54 GMT 9
Did you explain the scenario beforehand?
I should have seen this earlier.
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Post by jitenshaa on May 13, 2015 15:50:15 GMT 9
Did you explain the scenario beforehand? I should have seen this earlier. meh, those were typical sentences that you hear during official visits though. she was especially stumped by 「親善と平和の架け橋」. i didnt think the japanese was especially difficult, it's just the interpreting into english that is  im sorry ms kyoko. |
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