About this factsheet

This factsheet is part of RNID's employment range. It is written for people who are interested in training as a British Sign Language (BSL)/English interpreter.

Read this factsheet to find out:

What does a BSL/English interpreter do?

A BSL/English interpreter can help a sign language user and a person who is hearing to communicate. They interpret from one language to the other. In the UK this will usually be from British Sign Language (BSL) to spoken or written English, or spoken or written English to BSL. Interpreting is a recognised profession and interpreters train for many years. They need a good level of English, relevant qualifications in BSL, and they should have completed approved interpreter training.

BSL/English interpreters are used by people who are deaf:

What qualifications do you need to train as an interpreter?

You will need a number of qualifications to become a BSL/English interpreter.

BSL qualifications

If you have no sign language skills, you should start your training with BSL Level 1 and BSL Level 2 qualifications:

Tutor contact hours means the number of hours you are in front of a skilled trainer. These hours do not include homework or practice that your tutor sets.

Find out where to do BSL Level 1 and Level 2 courses, contact your local adult education centre, college of further education, or library. Signature (external link, opens new browser window) (formerly The Council for the Advancement of Communication for Deaf People - CACDP) also has this information. See Where can I get further information? 

How do I train as an interpreter?

University courses

Six universities in the UK run interpreter training courses. Full-time degree course last for three years and prepare you for registration as a junior trainee interpreter, or in some cases, as a trainee interpreter. Part-time courses can also lead to junior trainee or trainee interpreter status.

Taking an approved course means your study meets recognised standards for training BSL/English interpreters and prepares you for Membership of the Register of Sign Language Interpreters (MRSLI). You will need to keep up your level of signing and knowledge to remain on the register.

Contact the National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD) for more information on approved courses, routes to registration and details on how to register.

The vocational (NVQ) route
You can also work towards becoming an interpreter by completing the following National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) examinations:

You can study at a number of centres around the country, including RNID. Or, go to the Signature (formerly known as the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People – CACDP) website for more information.

Interpreter registration

The NRCPD manages the registration of BSL/English interpreters and includes the following categories:

Contact NRCPD for more information on routes to registration.

RNID training courses for interpreters

RNID offers a range of training and assessment courses linked to the vocational training route. These are:

We tell you more about these in the sections that follow. For more information about the courses, contact the RNID Information Line.

RNID recommends that once you have completed BSL Level 2 and get one year’s BSL conversation practice before you start the NVQ programme. You can then apply to do Level 3 Language Development.

BSL Level 3 Language development

This course is designed to help you prepare for your NVQ Level 3 assessment. Before you do the course, you will be asked to attend an information/selection day.

A deaf trainer will teach the course and sign at BSL Level 3. It is important that your signing ability is at the required level so you can make the most out of the course. Once completed, you can go on to Level 3 NVQ in BSL.

Level 3 NVQ in BSL

This qualification has two units – a ‘production’ unit and a ‘reception’ unit. It involves building up a portfolio of written and video evidence of your ability to sign at BSL Level 3.
Once again, you will need to attend an information/selection day. Here, qualified assessors will consider your signing skills and tell you if you are ready to start the assessment process.

If assessors decide you are ready to enrol, you will be invited to attend:

If you are not ready for Level 3 NVQ in BSL, you will get advice and guidance on how to practise and improve your signing.

Once you have Level 3 BSL and are working towards the Level 4 NVQ in BSL and you are following an Individual Interpreter Development programme, you can apply to the IRP to register as a junior trainee interpreter. You will need to prove to the panel that you have the appropriate skills to work in this role and that you also have access to training/supervision.

By now, you should have a good knowledge of the deaf community and interpreting issues, but you will still be developing your language skills. You may not have had a great deal of practical experience of interpreting or of a range of interpreting settings.

BSL Level 4 – Language development

This course is designed to help you prepare for your NVQ Level 4 assessment. Before doing the course, you will be asked to attend an information/selection day. A deaf trainer will teach the course using BSL Level 4 signing. It is important to check that your signing ability is at the required level so that you make the most of the course.
Once you have completed this course, you can go on to Level 4 NVQ in BSL.

Level 4 NVQ in BSL

This qualification involves building up a portfolio of written and video evidence of your ability to sign at BSL Level 4. You will need to go to an information/selection day where qualified assessors will assess your signing skills. They will tell you if you are ready to start the assessment process.

If you are assessed as ready to enrol, you will be invited to attend:

If you are not ready for Level 4 NVQ in BSL, the assessor will give you advice and guidance on how to practise and improve your signing.

Once you have got your Level 4 NVQ in BSL, you can apply to register as a trainee interpreter. You can also start working towards becoming a Member of the Register of BSL/English interpreters. You may begin studying for Level 4 NVQ in Interpreting (BSL/English).

NVQ Level 4 in Interpreting (BSL/English)

This is a full NVQ. You will have to complete five NVQ interpreting units – three are compulsory and two are optional units (along with the three Level 4 BSL units).
If you successfully complete these NVQ units, you will:

You will need to maintain your level of signing and knowledge to remain on the register.

Understanding the deaf community and deaf culture

Language and culture are closely linked, so students of BSL also need to learn about deaf culture and the deaf community. This is normally learnt informally and through reading.

Students should make direct social contact with people who are deaf – for example, by visiting deaf clubs. Some deaf clubs organise ‘communication clubs’ for people who want to practise signing. RNID’s Information Line will be able to give you details of your nearest deaf club.

Students should also read about the deaf community and deaf culture. The RNID library is a very useful source of such information. You can also buy books on deafness and deaf issues from RNID and Forest Books.

What employment opportunities are there for interpreters?

Where and how you work varies. You may be asked to work in social services departments, places of work, universities, hospitals or GP surgeries, and at meetings and conferences – in fact, anywhere a person who is deaf using BSL needs to communicate with a person who is hearing. You may be employed full- or part-time by voluntary organisations, as well as local authorities, to provide communication services to clients.

Working as a freelance interpreter

Some interpreters work on a freelance basis and accept bookings through interpreting agencies. The NRCPD now offers free online access to its directory of registered language service professionals (LSPs). The directory lists all categories of interpreter. It will also include details of your availability, qualifications and catchment area.

The directory also includes details of other registered LSPs, such as lipspeakers, interpreters for deafblind people and speech-to-text reporters.

Interpreters working in Scotland can contact the Scottish Association of Sign Language Interpreters.

Where can I get further information? 

Association of Sign Language Interpreters (ASLI)

ASLI is the professional association and support network for sign language interpreters in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

ASLI is the professional association and support network for sign language interpreters in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
ASLI, Fortuna House, South Fife Street, Milton Keynes MK9 2EU
Telephone 0871 474 0522   Textphone 18001 0871 474 0522   Fax 01908 32 52 59

Or visit the Association of Sign Language Interpreters (external link, opens new browser window) online.

Signature

Signature (formerly known as the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People – CACDP) holds the national register of qualified BSL/English interpreters. It publishes information about interpreter training programmes and exams.

Signature Mersey House, Mandale Business Park, Belmont, Durham DH1 1TH
Telephone 0191 383 1155  Textphone 0191 383 7915 Fax 0191 383 7914

Email: durham@signature.org.uk

Website: Signature (external link)

 Forest Books

Forest Books specialises in books, videos and CD-ROMs on deaf issues.

Forest Books, Unit 2, New Building, Ellwood Road, Milkwall, Coleford GL16 7LE
Telephone: 01594 833 858
Textphone: 01594 833 858
Videophone: 01594 810 637
Fax: 01594 833 446
Email: forest@forestbooks.com
Website: Forest Books website (external link, opens new browser window)

National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD)

The NRCPD is responsible for the registration of BSL/English interpreters.

NRCDP, c/o Mersey House, Mandale Business Park, Belmont, Durham DH1 1TH
Telephone: 0191 383 1155
Textphone: 0191 383 7915
Fax: 0191 383 7914
Email: enquiries@nrcpd.org.uk

Website: http://www.nrcpd.org.uk/ (external link)

Scottish Association of Sign Language Interpreters (SASLI)

SASLI manages the list of registered sign language interpreters in Scotland.

Scottish Association of Sign Language Interpreters, Donaldson's College, West Coates, Edinburgh EH12 5JJ
Telephone: 0131 347 5601
Textphone: 0131 347 5601
Fax: 131 347 5628
Email: mail@sasli.org.uk
Website: Scottish Association of Sign Language Interpreters website (external link, opens new browser window)

Further information from RNID

RNID Information Line

Our Information Line offers a wide range of information on many aspects of deafness and hearing loss. Contact us for further copies of this factsheet and our full range of information factsheets and leaflets. You can also contact us if you would like information in Braille, on audiotape or large print.

RNID Information Line, 19-23 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8SL
Telephone: 0808 808 0123
Textphone: 0808 808 9000
Fax: 020 7296 8199
Email: informationline@rnid.org.uk

RNID Library

330-332 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8EE
Telephone: 020 7915 1553
Textphone: 020 7915 1553
Fax: 020 7915 1443.
Email: rnidlib@ucl.ac.uk