The Level 2 Certificate in Community Interpreting course is for people who speak English and at least one other language fluently and wishes to become a voluntary interpreter.

It is suitable for people who are brand new to the profession, and also those who already have some interpreting experience.

YOU DO NOT NEED ANY EXISTING INTERPRETING QUALIFICATIONS TO TAKE THE LEVEL 2 CERTIFICATE IN COMMUNITY INTERPRETING.

There is no requirement to write long essays, simply tell us when you are ready and our qualified and skilled assessors will assess if you already have what it takes to become a community interpreter.

The exam takes place remotely, using videoconferencing software. We invite you to take part in a role play assessment where you will interpret for a Limited English Speaker. You will have to act as professional and not only demonstrate your linguistic skills but also show that you are aware of the industry terminology and requirements.

Our qualification can be achieved quickly and smoothly from the comfort of your own home and this flexibility does not affect its quality. The qualification has been created by a team that has over 10 years of experience delivering online interpreting and language assessments and is strictly regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) that regulates qualifications, examinations and assessments in England.

When you sign up for the exam, you will get access to useful resources that will help you to prepare, including sample glossaries, past papers and our exam tips and techniques webinar. Up to two weeks prior to your exam taking place, you will receive an email with further details designed to help you to prepare, including the health topic that you will need to revise.

The exam takes less than one hour and consists of:

• Two way (consecutive) health interpreting role play – 25 mins

All candidates receive full and detailed feedback on their performance within 10 working days of the exam completion.

The assessment for the Level 2 Certificate in Community Interpreting is a practical examination of your interpreting ability which takes place remotely, using videoconferencing software (Zoom).

It is a role play assessment where you have to act as a professional interpreter, demonstrating your language skills and knowledge of relevant terminology and requirements.

It consists of a two way (consecutive) health interpreting role play (where you interpret a conversation between a doctor and a patient, using both English and your other language)

You do not need to write long essays, write anything down in either language or answer any questions.

This Level 2 Certificate in Community Interpreting qualification is fully accredited and nationally recognised by Ofqual – the UK government regulator of qualifications. This means that the qualification is accepted by both Interpreting Agencies and Interpreting clients UK wide. Although there is no international accreditation standard, usually UK qualifications are held in high esteem around the world.

This exam lasts up to 60mins. The average times is:

• Two way (consecutive) health interpreting role play – 25 mins

Successful candidates can use their Level 2 Certificate in Community Interpreting certificate to volunteer as an unpaid interpreter in community / public service settings such as charities

To become a paid interpreter, candidates can move on to take the Level 3 Certificate in Community Interpreting

The Level 3 Certificate allows you to accept paid interpreting assignments in community settings including:

• Health

• Mental Health

• Job centres / welfare

• Social services

• Housing

• Education

• Immigration

• Local government

After working as an interpreter for a recommended minimum of 2 years, some interpreters choose to move on to taking a Diploma in Public Service Interpreting. The DPSI is a degree equivalent qualification that is seen as the ‘gold’ standard for interpreters and can be used to find legal interpreting work. The DPSI has a very low pass rate even for experienced interpreters so at Learn Q we don’t recommend attempting it without a minimum of a Level 3 Certificate in Community Interpreting and 2 years professional interpreting experience.