Interpreter Training at the U.S. Department of State: Developing Effective Teaching Materials

Dr. David Sawyer
U.S. Department of State

This presentation provides an overview of interpreter training at the Office of Language Services of the United States Department of State. The Office’s training efforts reflect the need to meet the demand for competent interpreters for the languages that are taught less frequently in academic settings in the United States and sought-after in the diplomatic arena. After a brief introduction outlining the goals and structure of the training courses, the discussion will focus on innovative approaches to the development of teaching materials that have proved to be effective in this highly customized learning environment.