New Zealand Sign Language - English Interpreting

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Study areas

Language and Cultures

Home > Study at AUT > Study areas > Language and Cultures > Qualifications > Undergraduate > New Zealand Sign Language - English Interpreting

New Zealand Sign Language - English Interpreting

The BA Major in NZSL-English Interpreting (AK3006) is a comprehensive course designed to prepare professional interpreters to work between deaf and hearing consumers.

What this programme covers

The first year focuses on the development of receptive and expressive fluency in New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL), and the study of the deaf community and culture.

In the second and third years, students are introduced to the interpreting profession, including the history of interpreting internationally and in New Zealand. Specific interpreting skills are taught sequentially. Students also learn comparative linguistics of their two working languages, and how to make ethical decisions.

In the final year students will choose either the legal or health streams [or both], and finish off their study with a comprehensive practicum component spanning both semesters. This will involve real life observations of qualified interpreters at work in the first semester, and another semester where students can practise their interpreting skills in authentic settings alongside qualified interpreters and ultimately on their own.

Notes:

Students in the NZSL- English Interpreting major are required to successfully complete Year One papers with at least a B grade average in the Language papers in order to progress to Year Two
Students who do not achieve at least a B grade average in the Language papers in Year One will be required to continue with an alternative major

Scholarships

The Ministry of Economic Development have funded scholarships to support students who want to become qualified NZSL interpreters, and to contribute to building a qualified national NZSL interpreter workforce to staff a potential future Video Relay Service.