Learn more about the academic programs we are delivering in Winter 2025. If you have any questions about part-time studies, please contact us.
The Language Interpreter Training Program (LITP) is designed to train, at the college level, professional interpreters who can perform with a high degree of competence in the legal, health care and community sector.
Seneca Polytechnic was the first college to offer LITP, which was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, the Ministry of the Attorney General and Health and Social Service agencies.
This certificate program is 180 hours in duration and includes 6 courses that integrate theories, principles, concepts and practical application as well as the skills development required for the field of interpretation.
Students are required to take the courses in order. Some of the courses may be offered online.
To have your English skills assessed and ensure you meet program eligibility, please register for our ELL100 assessment.
Interested in learning more?
Students are invited to attend an information session to learn more about the program and to connect with our team.
Seneca Part-Time Language Interpreter Training Program (LITP) Information Session
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Register
Now
Confirmation of registration and a unique link to join the information session will be provided upon registration.
Fully bilingual in English and another language.
It is your responsibility to ensure that program requirements and course prerequisites as outlined are met. Prerequisites are included for your academic protection. Knowledge of the prerequisite material is assumed by your instructor and instruction will proceed accordingly. Students lacking prerequisites not only jeopardize their own ability to succeed but present unnecessary interruption. If you lack appropriate prerequisites (or Transfer Credit for the prerequisite course) you may be asked to withdraw or transfer to a more appropriate course with the risk of academic/financial penalty.
Part-time Studies courses are being offered in either of the following four formats: Online, Flexible, In-person, Hybrid. Click Availability below to see current offerings.
Introduction to Spoken Language Interpreting is the foundation course of a six course Language Interpreter Certificate Program. This course presents the fundamentals of providing spoken language interpreting services in various settings. Participants will consider the role and responsibilities of the interpreter and discuss professional standards of practice and ethical principles to guide an interpreter's performance. The course also provides an introduction to various skills required for successful interpreting including note taking, active listening, memory retention, mental transposition and verbalization in the target language.
Skills Development - Consecutive Interpreting & Note Taking is the second course of a six course Language Interpreter Certificate Program. Following a brief overview of the theoretical framework underlying the process of consecutive interpreting, the course concentrates on the development of skills essential to the task of effective interpreting including: memory and comprehension, note taking, vocabulary building, and handling linguistic and ethical challenges assertively. Consecutive interpreting exercises are incorporated throughout the course with a view to analyzing and improving practice.
Sight translation, sometimes referred to as sight interpretation, is a hybrid of interpreting and translation. Using documents related to a number of different settings, the course will instruct participants in the fundamentals of sight translation and assist in the development of related skills, such as reading comprehension, scanning for main ideas, fast reading, analysis of language, vocabulary enrichment and comprehension verification through paraphrasing. The course will also equip participants with the tools to manage ethical and performance challenges in sight translation.
Simultaneous interpreting provides an immediate interpretation of a speaker's utterances. A Simultaneous interpreter reproduces the speech in the target language as it is being delivered in the source language. Through simulations, role plays and audio/visual exercises participants will develop skills in simultaneous whispering interpreting without the use of electronic equipment. Subsequent to the theory overview, participants will practice: active listening, shadowing, retelling, paraphrasing, memory exercises and self-evaluation. Based on exposure to exercises and simulations, participants will develop and practice skills and techniques used in simultaneous interpreting in various settings and contexts.
The course concentrates on the acquisition of knowledge and the enhancement of skills introduced in Courses I-IV in preparation for interpreting in different settings. Four interpreting settings are introduced and explored; court interpreting, interpreting with child victims/witnesses; health care interpreting; and interpreting in the violence against women sector. Protocols, procedures and techniques necessary for functioning effectively as an interpreter are reviewed and discussed, forming the basis for problem solving exercises. A variety of articles and accompanying self study and terminology development activities enrich the course. Research and field observation provide context for course content. Skill and knowledge development and assessment are supported by role plays and case scenarios.
The Capstone Course begins with a brief review of the main interpreting competencies covered in the previous five courses. Following a recap of the ethical principles and standards of practice, the skills of consecutive interpreting and note taking, sight translation and simultaneous interpreting are practiced in preparation for the course's major component - the integration of interpreter skills and competencies through the Comprehensive Case Studies method. The final module deals with professional comportment issues and some of the financial management skills required for the interpreter who works as an independent contractor.
*Please note that only the CILISAT exam is available at this time
The ILSAT and CILISAT are language and skills assessment tests that evaluate a candidate's abilities to interpret a dialogue consecutively as well as sight-translate texts in English and a target language. Candidates are assessed on how well they have conveyed the meaning, intent and information contained in the message from one language to another.
Both ILSAT and CILISAT are recognized by The Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade Language Interpreter Services Program as an essential requirement for acceptance as an interpreter qualified to provide services to agencies.
Students may prepare for the ILSAT/CILISAT test by participating in Preparation Workshop for ILSAT/CILISAT LNI070
To graduate, students will need to successfully complete the LNI 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, and 106.
On successful completion of the program, graduates will have successfully demonstrated the ability to:
Students are invited to attend an information session to learn more about the program and to connect with our team.
Seneca Part-Time Language Interpreter Training Program (LITP) Information Session
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Register
Now
Confirmation of registration and a unique link to join the information session will be provided upon registration.
Earn college credits for what you already know.
Prior Learning Assessment is a method of assessing and recognizing learning that is equal to
college level learning, but has been gained outside a traditional classroom (through work
experience, volunteering, outside study, etc.). If you can prove that the knowledge you have gained
meets the outcomes of a Seneca course, then credit will be awarded.
How does the PLA process work?
Prior Learning is demonstrated through a "challenge" process. The process measures learning
through a variety of methods which may include tests, portfolio assessment, interviews,
demonstrations, essays, and work samples. The method used will be determined in consultation with a
Program Coordinator.
For more information and to determine if you are eligible for PLA, please call the Program
Coordinator.
The process may take from 6 to 8 weeks.
Note: Not all courses can be challenged. For more information go to PLA website or contact your Program Coordinator.
Many students who enter Seneca Polytechnic will have earned academic credits in postsecondary educational institutions which they may be able to apply toward completion of a Seneca Polytechnic program.
Requests for Transfer Credit must be for a specific course and must be accompanied by an official transcript and course outline. A minimum grade of "C" (60 percent) is generally required for a course to be considered for Transfer Credit.
Download a Transfer Credit Request form. An official copy of your transcript and applicable detailed course outlines should be attached and submitted. Please note it may take 4 to 6 weeks for a Transfer Credit decision.
Please visit the Office of the Registrar.
When you meet all program requirements and become eligible for a certificate, diploma, or degree, you must inform the Registrar by completing a Graduation Application form and paying the graduation and alumni fee. Certificates, diplomas, and applied degrees are issued twice a year in the Fall (October), Spring (June) and Winter (February).
For further information including deadlines and fees, please visit the Convocation website or contact the Convocation Office at theservicehub@senecapolytechnic.ca.
A student will be eligible to graduate from a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or graduate certificate program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.0.
A student will be eligible to graduate from a degree program if they have achieved a minimum graduating GPA of 2.5, which includes a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the courses in their main field of study and a minimum GPA of 2.0 in breadth courses.
Maria Graziosi
Program Assistant
Maria.Graziosi@senecapolytechnic.ca
416-764-0964
Melanie Rubens
Program Coordinator
Melanie.Rubens@senecapolytechnic.ca
416-764-0973
For more information about this program, fill out the following form.