Thursday, May 27, 2010

Interpreting Videos

A simple search with "interpreting" brings up a wealth of videos that illustrate different aspects of interpreting.
Check the videos below.
The first is an amazing simultaneous interpreter doing an interpreting job in a TV program where the guest is Oscar de la Renta.


The second video is an example of consecutive interpreting done in Argentina (English<>Spanish) during an interview with Roger Waters (Pink Floyd).


The last one is a history of interpreting in Brussels for European Institutions since 1952. It shows the different types of interpreting that can be used according to different situations (whispering, simultaneous, consecutive, one way, two way) and how things have changed from having only two interpreters to the present need for interpreters for 23 different languages!


I have left a permanent link, Interpreting Training Videos, within Useful links/Interpreting links on the right side-bar.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Changes in the SOL

Windy Field










Check the Department of Immigration, What's New? Recent Changes in General Skilled Migration.

If you have any further questions after the Ultimo institute broadcast about the changes, check the website above for answers, phone the 1300 numbers given on their website and/or contact your migration agent.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Library Pocasts: Interpreting Practice



St George TAFE Library staff have been producing podcasts with information about the library services and instructions on how to use different technology and library facilities. Although they are specifically talking about St George college, most of what they say can be applied to any college library and many other libraries in Australia. Their instructions on how to use technology are also general.

Some of their podcasts are in Languages Other Than English (LOTE), so they are great practice for interpreting students.

These are some of the podcasts:
  • Mandarin: SeS username and password

  • Spanish: How to borrow from St George Library

  • Spanish: Off campus services

  • Complete List of Multilingual Podcasts
  • Monday, May 10, 2010

    International Students

    Attribution: "Exams_by_Majeed"

    I distributed some istudents magazines today. If you didn't get one, you can access them online:


    istudent magazine. Check their article avoiding scams. It will help you revise your consumer affairs/fair trading topic.



    They provide a classified section, in case you want to advertise something you'd like to sell/buy. For that purpose, you can access the Gum Tree, which has a lot more items listed.

    Check also freecycle.org for free items!

    Good luck to those studnets undertaking their interpreting exams this week!

    Wednesday, May 5, 2010

    Heath Issues

    Attribution: "Phagocytosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis"


















    We had an interesting presentation on eating disorders today (thanks Arum) and I thought you may be interested in further exploring health issues.
    Check the following links and worksheets:
    Better Health Obesity -worksheet Obesity
    Better Health Skin Cancer-worksheet Skin Cancer
    BMI Calculator. You just enter your height and weight and it'll tell you your BMI and if it's healthy or not.
    Health quizzes

    And talking about health and fashion, did you know that Spain decided to ban models that are too thin?. Read about it in the Sydney Morning Herald and the ABC7news. After reading the articles, you can answer these questions:
    What triggered the ban?
    What's BMI?
    What BMI should a model have to be allowed to participate in fashion parades in Spain?
    What's the average height, weight and BMI of a runway model?
    What are the arguments for and against?

    Check the meanings of gaunt, emaciated and wan. You can find many dictionaries on the Internet (just write dictionary into Google). One of them is the Merrian-Webster.

    For extra listening practice, you can listen to some ESOL student podcasts on the St George TAFE Health Expo 2006. They interview doctors and health staff about different health topics. The links to all their podcasts are here.

    Sunday, May 2, 2010

    Insurance


    This weeks' topic for our intensive Interpreter's course is insurance.

    Watch the BTN epidsode on this topic and try and do the activitiy worksheet .




    Saturday, May 1, 2010

    Housing: Renting

    What architectural style of house is the one in the picture?

    We have been talking about housing and many of the topics related to it, like advantages and disadvantages of buying a house, renting or renovating.

    Today' s paper has an interesting article on renting, In the fight to snare a rental property a CV is the weapon of choice. Read it and discuss it's content with your classmates and teachers.

    Check this BTN episode from 11/03/08 Rental Squeeze. There are 4 separate sections. Watch all of them. You can always read/print the script to help you with vocabulary and understanding the content.

    Listen to the podcast Vince: Building and do the worksheet provided. It will help you undersatnd the building process in Australia.