Professional sign language interpreters are in high demand. Sign language interpreters are essential to ensure the Deaf community has access to New Zealand legal, educational and health systems. This major prepares you for a career as a sign language interpreter.
You become familiar with the Deaf community and culture, and helping you achieve proficiency in New Zealand Sign Language. In the second and third year you’re introduced to the interpreting profession, including the history of interpreting locally and internationally. You develop interpreting skills for a wide range of settings, and explore the ethical issues of sign language interpreting.
A scholarship is available from the Ministry of Education for NZSL interpreting students:
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All subjects are useful, in particular Art History, Classical Studies, English, Geography, History, Media Studies and other languages.
Consider starting with:
Our dynamic classroom environment encourages student participation at each stage of the learning journey. Our strong relationships with the Deaf community and interpreting professionals mean that you have access to up-to-date information and a range of guest speakers.
Develop advanced NZSL and interpreting skills to prepare you for a career as a professional interpreter. Courses also focus on ethical decision making, the translation and interpreting processes, and business-related skills like networking and professional conduct.
For questions about this programme you can contact our programme leader on george.major@aut.ac.nz
All students in the Bachelor of Arts complete core courses that cover effective communication, critical thinking and other transferable skills you'll need for your future career.
COMM570 Academic Communication
CLSY502 Intercultural Competence
CLSY504 Knowledge and Inquiry
NZSL707 NZSL Interpreting Practicum Experience I – Observations
NZSL708 NZSL Interpreting Practicum Experience II – Professional Practice
NZSL510 New Zealand Sign Language 1
NZSL520 New Zealand Sign Language 2
NZSL600 New Zealand Sign Language Discourse
NZSL502 An Introduction to the Deaf World
NZSL602 Being in the Deaf World
The first year focuses on developing fluency in New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL), and the study of the Deaf community and culture.
You need to complete Year 1 courses with at least a B grade average in the language courses to progress to Year 2. If you don't achieve at least a B grade average in the Year 1 language courses, you need to continue with an alternative major.
TRIN603 Interpreter Role, Ethics and Practice
NZSL604 Societal Contexts for NZSL Interpreters
NZSL610 New Zealand Sign Language 3
NZSL620 New Zealand Sign Language 4
NZSL710 New Zealand Sign Language 5
NZSL703 Comparative Analysis of English and NZSL
NZSL704 NZSL Interpreting 1 — Dialogic Interactions
NZSL702 Current Issues in the Deaf World
NZSL705 NZSL Interpreting 2 — Monologic Interactions
NZSL706 NZSL Interpreting 3 — Advanced Interpreting Techniques
TRIN704 Advanced Interpretation Health Studies and/or TRIN702 Advanced Interpretation Legal Studies
TRIN705 Advanced Health Interpreting and/or TRIN708 Advanced Legal Interpreting
NZSL707 NZSL Interpreting Practicum Experience I — Observations
NZSL708 NZSL Interpreting Practicum Experience II — Professional Practice
Workplace experience is a key part of your final year. In the first semester you’ll be in the community, observing and learning from professional interpreters in a wide range of settings. In the second semester, you’ll be interpreting alongside professional interpreters, your lecturers, and classmates.
Recent placements included:
Read more about workplace experience in AUT programmes, how it works and why it’s so beneficial when you start your career.
To participate in AUT's New Zealand Sign Language - English Interpreting degree you need to be able to:
NZSL fluency is not required to begin this programme.
Beginner level applicants can use this free online tool to learn some basics.
Learn NZSL website
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.