This evaluation is designed to provide both individual Interpreters and prospective employers with a basic, yet realistic, assessment of an interpreter’s skill set. Results will be provided via e-mail within two weeks.

Overview

Interpreters who have not taken a certification test or who have yet to pass, can for a nominal $199.00 fee, determine if they are ready to test or if there has been enough significant improvement to warrant testing again. In some areas throughout the USA, due to a shortage of certified Interpreters, employers may be faced with hiring interpreters who are on the path to certification. But without a means to assess these candidates, it is difficult for them to ensure the quality of interpreting they can expect to see. The Sign Language Interpreter – Skills Evaluation (SLI-SE) is a tool designed for these types of situations.

How SLI-SE Works

We record a 3-to-3½ minute video clip of the candidate, interpreting in a setting relevant to the purpose of their assessment. For example, if an interpreter is hoping to achieve a score of 3.5 or 4.0 on an assessment for K-12 interpreting, the subject should select our K-12 evaluation. 

The evaluation results will be sent via e-mail and will indicate at which of the following skill levels our Evaluators consider the interpreter to be performing at:

• Advanced Level Interpreting Skills
• Entry Level Interpreting Skills
• Developing Interpreting Skills
• Conversational Language Skills

The results e-mail will also include a brief description of the strengths and weaknesses noted in the video clip. This will serve as a valuable aid in helping interpreters identify where to focus their energies for improvement.