Interpreter Training, Workshops and Master Classes
Interpreter Training, Workshops and Master Classes
In 2023, our pass rate was 50% for the FCICE oral exam, compared with the 23%
national average. We offer you guidance and feedback, and teach you how to
manage your own progress during multiple weeks of intensive interpreting study.
For court interpreters of all
languages looking to improve
their skills and/or work toward
state certification.
For advanced Spanish
interpreters to improve their
skills and/or work toward federal certification.
Our students don’t just pass their exam. They learn study and stress management skills for life.
Learn the basic building blocks of
interpreting from skilled instructors.
Increase your speed, accuracy and sight translating skills while staying on task with our accountability allies.
Juliana M.C.
Why study alone when you can learn from and be supported by our
qualified instructors and your peers? With study tips, challenging mock
exams, live audience interpreting and our other tools, you’ll do better on your
interpreting exam.
While there are some scheduling differences between the All Levels & Languages Master Class and the Advanced Spanish Master Class, this is a good overview of a standard class week. It is expected that you will spend your weekends devoted to class assignments as well.
Live
Instructor-led
classes
Solo study
Live
Instructor-led
classes (optional for All Levels & Languages)
Solo study
Solo study
Your tuition for the Court Interpreting Master Class includes instructor time and a curated, detailed lesson plan.
As a bonus, students are given a full year of access to Interpretrain’s State Oral Exam Training Program (or equivalent for the Advanced class) which includes their new note-taking training material.
If you already own these materials, please note that there is no credit available toward your tuition. However, do not worry–you are still getting an incredible value for what you are buying.
State court interpreter oral exams require you to perform several complex mental processes very quickly, with a high degree of accuracy, and all at the same time.
With Interpretrain’s 3-Step Method™, you will master each of these tasks separately, and then learn how to successfully execute them together.
The state oral exam is ultimately a test not of vocabulary or particular topics, but of skill. To that end, your course has been created to be a skills-building journey, with particular emphasis on technique, vocabulary, and holistic mindset.
Not every exercise will resemble the test, but that is purposeful–many students fail because they do not realize that studying for the exam is like studying for a marathon.
You need warm-ups, cardio, strength-training…the works. That said, familiarity with the exam format is important, and there will be exercises that closely resemble the test itself in order for you to experience it firsthand.
In addition to the Interpretrain 3-Step materials, you will also gain access to a Class Google Share Drive. You will benefit from materials created by previous classes, and leave your legacy for future generations.
The Advanced Spanish Master Class may make use of additional materials for mock exams.
Once you complete the course, you will still have a plethora of study materials at your disposal in order to apply what you have learned through continued individual and group studies. By then you’ll have the toolbox. It’ll be up to you to use the tools!
If you do not comply with the code of conduct, Athena Sky Interpreting reserves the right to relinquish your seat in the program without a refund.
Athena holds a BA in Spanish interpreting and translation from Rutgers University and a Master’s in Conference Interpreting from Glendon College, York University. In the past decade, she has worked as a freelance interpreter and staff interpreter for the NJ judiciary.
She owns Athena Sky Interpreting and trains candidates for the state and federal interpreting exams. She created these Master Classes with Virginia in order to give people the accountability and guidance she wishes she could have had when studying for her exams. When she is not teaching and interpreting, you may find her practicing Acroyoga or aerial arts.
Virginia is our behind-the-scenes mastermind. You may occasionally see her for a guest visit, and you will see her magical powerpoints and materials everywhere you look!
Virginia became an interpreter in 2003 and has worked in the fields of legal, medical, and conference interpretation. She holds a Combined Certificate in Translation and Interpretation Studies (Hunter College, 2004). In 2012, Virginia and her husband, Brad Wilk, founded Interpretrain. She currently lives in California, where she teaches, develops new materials, and works as an interpreter.
Rosa, an alumnus of our 2022 advanced Master Class, now steps into the role of Accountability Ally to offer guided feedback sections. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Rosa’s journey spans continents, having lived in her home country, Japan, Hawaii, and now Florida. With over a decade of industry experience, her path began as a telephonic interpreter, igniting her passion for language access. Committed to her mission, she pursued rigorous training and obtained her certifications.
Tamber is a federally certified freelance Spanish court interpreter and attorney based in Tucson, AZ. She is an experienced trainer of interpreters, regularly providing webinars on topics such as technology for interpreters, various legal topics, and more. She has been faculty for the University of Arizona Court Interpreter Training Institute for the last three years. Tamber is enthusiastic about test preparation, and wholeheartedly believes that regular, mindful practice using realistic tests and materials with performance feedback is the key to success. In her spare time, she enjoys snowboarding, cycling, and any place with trees and trails.
Gonzalo is a former private coaching student of Athena’s who rejoins us now to offer extra feedback to our advanced students. He has been interpreting since 2013, working in both the private and public sectors. Highlights have included interpreting for Chile’s Minister of Economy, Ecuador’s Attorney General, the Real Madrid, New York Bulls, and national teams of Costa Rica and Honduras. He has been tutoring FCICE candidates since 2021. He is a big fan of dogs (especially his own, Bobo) as well as soccer, current events and US foreign policy (particularly in the Middle East.)
Jennifer is a Master Class alumnus who rejoins us now to offer guided study sessions, extra feedback and moral support. She was born in Mexico City and has lived in the United States since the age of 9. She began her exploration in this career as a medical interpreter and loved everything about it. The experience encouraged her to study to obtain the certification to become a court interpreter. Her work is her passion.
“I have learned that it takes experience, motivation, and endless studying to continue growing as an interpreter. Studying alone is good sometimes, but a network makes a HUGE difference. Interpreters need each other and learn from each other. My goals include reaching Master Level Certification in NC and eventually taking the FCICE. Slow but steady wins the race!”
Lili is an alumnus of the our first ever Master Class for all languages. She is an English⇄Japanese interpreter and translator, academic editor, and intercultural communication coach residing in the DC metro area. In addition to serving as a per diem court interpreter in multiple jurisdictions, she offers instruction in Japanese language, business etiquette, and translation and interpretation (T&I) to federal employees and military personnel.
For court interpreters of all
languages looking to improve
their skills and/or work toward
state certification.
For advanced Spanish
interpreters to improve their
skills and/or work toward federal certification.