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 sign language interpreter helps BSL users and hearing people to communicate effectively with each other. In this country, the interpreter translates between English and BSL.

BSL/English interpreters have been described as 'the bridge between the deaf and hearing worlds'.

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. The Council for the Advancement of Communication for Deaf People (CACDP) also has this information. See Where can I get further information? 

Once you have BSL Level 2, you can choose from two routes - the higher education route or vocational NVQ - to become a BSL/English interpreter.

How do I train as an interpreter?

The higher education route

If you choose this route, you will need to do a university course that is approved against Interpreter Registration Standards. Taking an approved course means your study meets recognised standards for training BSL/English interpreters. The Independent Registration Panel (IRP) sets these standards. These standards ensure interpreters are appropriately trained and skilled to provide a professional service. See Where can I get further information?

Six universities in the UK run interpreter training courses. You will study a degree course full-time for three years to 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.

A few courses enable you to become a qualified interpreter and prepare you for membership of the Register of BSL/English interpreters. If you successfully complete a course recognised at this level, you will have reached the level of knowledge and skills needed to meet the Interpreting Registration Standards. Meeting these standards means you can apply to the IRP to register as a Member 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. To find out which universities offer courses in interpreter training, contact CACDP

The vocational (NVQ) route

If you choose this route, you will need to complete the following National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) examinations:

Each qualification is achieved by producing a portfolio of written and video evidence, which has to be produced to a required standard.

The Level 4 NVQ in Interpreting (BSL/English) is a full NVQ. If you successfully complete this NVQ level, you will:

You will need to keep up your signing and knowledge to remain on the register.  

You can study at a number of centres around the country, including RNID (see "RNID training courses for interpreters"). CACDP can give you more information about all training providers.

Interpreter registration

Whichever route you follow, you should register with the IRP while you do your training and on completion of your qualification. The IRP manages the registration of BSL/English interpreters and includes the following categories:

The IRP publishes a useful booklet called "The Registration System for BSL/English Interpreters" which outlines these different stages. 

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. If you want to talk to someone about the courses, contact the RNID Information Line.

RNID recommends that once you have completed BSL Level 2, you should 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 to check that your signing ability is at the required level so you can make the most 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.

You can find out more about the BSL Level 3 NVQ assessment on this website.

Once you have Level 3 BSL and are working towards the Level 4 NVQ in BSL (before doing Level 4 NVQ in Interpreting BSL/English), 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 as a junior trainee interpreter 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 and 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 you can 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 has three units: two 'production' units and one 'reception' unit. It 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 and 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.

You can find out more about the BSL Level 4 NVQ assessment on this website.

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 BSL

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 not normally taught in BSL courses but learnt informally and through reading.

Students are encouraged to have direct social contact with deaf people, 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 club.

Students should also read about the deaf community and the deaf culture. The RNID Library (opens new browser window) 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?

BSL/English interpreters are in short supply: nationally, there are just under 200 MRSLIs (qualified) and 150 trainee interpreters, compared with an estimated 50,000 to 70,000 deaf people using BSL as their first language. This means an interpreter has plenty of employment opportunities.

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 deaf person using BSL needs to communicate with a hearing person. 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. You can advertise your experience and availability as an interpreter in CACDP's Directory of Registered Language Service Professionals (LSPs). The directory lists all categories of interpreter and says whether they have insurance and criminal records clearance. It will also include details of your qualifications, catchment area and preferred types of work.

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

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, PO Box 32152, London N4 2YZ
Telephone: 020 8809 4353
Textphone: 020 8809 4543
Fax: 020 8800 3489
Website: Association of Sign Language Interpreters (external link, opens new browser window)

Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People (CACDP)

CACDP holds the national register of qualified BSL/English interpreters. It publishes a number of factsheets about interpreter training programmes and exams that you may find useful.

CACDP, Durham University Science Park, Block 4, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3UZ
Telephone: 0191 383 1155
Textphone: 0191 383 7915
Fax: 0191 383 7914
Email: durham@cacdp.org.uk
Website: Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People website (external link, opens new browser window)

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)

The Independent Registration Panel (IRP)

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

IRP Registrar, Registration Panel, c/o CACDP - see above
Email: administration@independentregistrationpanel.co.uk
Website: The Independent Registration Panel website (external link, opens new browser window)

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

The RNID Information Line offers a wide range of information on many aspects of deafness and hearing loss. You can contact us for printed copies of this factsheet and the full range of RNID information factsheets and leaflets.

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 (opens new browser window)
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

Acknowledgement

This factsheet was produced with the help and advice of CACDP.

RNID Information, October 2006