Hi All,

I recently did some unoffical translating work, helping out a translator who was a bit bogged down and I really enjoyed it.  I would be interested in becoming qualified as a translator and was wondering if anyone knows of any courses which can be done online, but which gives an official qualification at the end.  I work full time during the summer which is why online is really the only option for me, something which can be done between shifts, on days off, etc.  I?m not a university graduate but studied Spanish up to A-level, and now live and work here in Spain and so consider myself as more or less fluent!!  I know these courses come with a price and aren?t cheap which is why I want to make sure I choose the right one.  Any help or advice greatly appreciated, thanks!!!

Hi Laura..

Well as you know there are vast amounts of Translation courses… It all depends which one you want… i.e. “Sworn Translator” (Embassy and Official Work) so on…

In my experience I do not think you can do a 4 week (So On) course to become an “Official Translator”...

It all depends were you are in Spain there might be a College/Uni were you can do Evening classes But not sure…

Good luck though 😊

Mac

Thanks for the reply.  I?m in Menorca so college, etc is not really an option for me as there?s nothing like that on this tiny island!!!  I?ve seen a few courses online, some of which you have between 3 and 5 years to complete all of the different sections, but I?m just a little unsure about whether the final results would be acceptable or not.

Well yeap Menorca is tiny but good 😉

If you let me know the course thats online and what certificate (What Qualification) you get once completed.

This webpage might be of help… http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/career_and_jobs/graduate_management/article512164.ece

Let me know how you get on

Mac

Laura:

Do check out this site (The Chartered Institute of Linguists) U.K.  Their Diploma in Translation is a professional qualification.  You could contact and enquire about preparing for the examination at “distance”. 

You will need to decide in what area you intend to specialise (legal, medical, science, humanities, etc. ).

A number of U.K. universities offer qualifications in translation, for example the University of Surrey, and it is possible some of these may be “distance”.  You could enquire.
Then there is this link:

http://www.roehampton.ac.uk/postgraduate-courses/audiovisual-translation/index.html

You might also look at the Institute of Translating & Interpreting (U.K.) website.  Lots of information and guidelines there.

http://www.iti.org.uk/pages/getStart/getStart.asp

All the best
Patricia