NAATI Learn

This webinar was delivered in 2022 in celebration of International Translation Day (ITD) with the theme "A World Without Barriers".

As usual, AUSIT would like to invite you all to join us in our special ITD celebration – Assertiveness Panel Discussion for interpreters and translators. In today’s world, when even COVID could not stop people from connecting with others in different parts of the globe, who other than interpreters and translators can play a more important role in breaking down the communication barriers and reconnecting people and cultures with one another?

However, working as an interpreter or a translator means that we cannot avoid being exposed to people who have unrealistic expectations about our role all the time. Have you worked with a lawyer who insists everything has to be “translated word for word”? Or a doctor who asks for a complicated medical report to be sight-translated on the spot? How about a speaker who thinks it helpful to read out a highly technical research paper at a hundred miles an hour? Or a client who is offering peanuts for a complicated translation project?

If you ever wondered what can be done to diplomatically manage clients’ expectations, how to decide whether I should give in to clients’ requests, and more importantly, how to ensure our working standards and ethics are not compromised, come and join our highly esteemed panel members for a discussion on how to be assertive with clients and ensure that we help create a world without barriers.

45 years after the establishment of NAATI, and 35 years after the establishment of AUSIT, there is still ongoing debate over the role of the interpreter. But this is also part of a debate internationally, particularly related to community interpreting. This webinar looks at these debates and the crucial arguments over impartiality and stance of the interpreter in different contexts, as most issues of role will turn on the principle of impartiality. The webinar will propose that while there are contexts which make different demands on interpreters, from highly adversarial contexts to contexts demanding cooperation and negotiation between interpreters and other parties, impartiality does not disappear and remains essential for ethical interpreting.

This 90-minute webinar will cover:

• Diverse contexts which make different demands on interpreters
• Interpreting in highly adversarial contexts
• Interpreting in non-adversarial contexts
• Contexts where cooperation and negotiation between interpreters and other parties is essential
• Relating different ethical contexts to codes of ethics

Who would this be useful for?

• Practising interpreters who may not have had formal training in ethics and interpreting skills
• Experienced interpreters wishing to extend their ethical understanding of diverse settings

After completing the webinar, you will gain:

Knowledge of:

• How the role of the interpreter is affected by practice in different contexts

Skills to:

• Analyse diverse situations to avoid unethical conduct and poor interpreting
• Assume the proper role in both adversarial and non-adversarial situations
• Understand how to cooperate and negotiate situations where the purpose of the interpreting assignment so demands

Presented by:

Dr Uldis Ozolins, Western Sydney University & Fatih Karakas, All Graduates Head of Training

Dr Uldis Ozolins is a teacher, writer and researcher on Interpreting & Translation, and one of the leaders of the rewriting of the AUSIT Code of Ethics in 2012

Fatih Karakas has a Master’s in Translation and Interpreting and has taught at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and the University of New South Wales. Fatih is also the co-author of “Introduction to Healthcare for Turkish-speaking Interpreters and Translators.

This professional development webinar presented in partnership with AUSIT and NAATI is designed to assist interpreters in developing knowledge and skills to interpret ethically and effectively in medical assignments. We will present an overview of medical settings, including specialist healthcare areas, and explore the interpreter’s role in facilitating patient-centred communication. We will also discuss the environmental, interpersonal, intrapersonal and paralinguistic demands inherent in medical interpreting.  Participants will develop best practice strategies to prepare for assignments, to interpret accurately and impartially during medical consultations and to follow up appropriately.

After completing this webinar, participants will gain: 

The aim of this webinar is to provide interpreters with background knowledge of mental illness, psychiatric interviewing and assessment, outline the common interpreting challenges, offer some strategies for interpreting in a range of psychiatric consultations and discuss positive coping strategies.

Interpreting in mental health settings is complex and interpreters face multiple challenges. Mental health and allied mental health professionals rely primarily on verbal and non-verbal communication for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.

For a successful therapeutic relationship, interpreters require contextual knowledge and an understanding of the role communication plays in the different types of encounters e.g. psychiatric assessment, cognitive assessment, therapy, or family meetings). For example, to make a correct diagnosis, it is crucial to understand the client’s cultural references as well as how he/she communicates (i.e. tone, volume and rate). The challenge for the interpreter is to accurately represent these in order to enable the clinician to make the most appropriate clinical decision.

A common culture or history between client and interpreter may increase the interpreter’s credibility, as well as their ability to fulfil their role. It is important for interpreters to develop positive coping strategies.

Presenter: Andrés Otero Forero

This workshop is facilitated by Colombian-born psychologist Andrés Otero Forero.

Andrés has extensive experience in education. He was a guest lecturer at different academic institutions before coming to Australia in 2003. Since then, Andrés has worked in the multicultural sector. He currently works in the Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre as the Clinical Educator.

From March 2023, NAATI released digital identification options for certified practitioners. Practitioners can choose to use either a physical translator stamp or ID card, or the digital option. Digital stamps are available for use by all certified translators and digital ID cards are available to all NAATI-certified practitioners who have current credentials.

In this informative webinar, Michael Nemarich (NAATI Chief Operating Officer) will discuss the new digital stamps and ID cards and other significant system upgrades that NAATI has made in February 2023 to improve functionality, security and ease of use for practitioners. 

Presenter: Michael Nemarich

This is a 120-minute webinar on Mastering the NAATI Certified Interpreter Test offered by AUSIT in partnership with NAATI. 

Join us for an in-depth and engaging webinar led by experienced interpreter and NAATI examiner Silvia Martinez, as she shares her personal journey and practical strategies for preparing for the Certified Interpreter (CI) Test. 

Who would this be useful for? This session is a must-watch for interpreters working in community and public sector settings, especially those aiming to demonstrate full competence in the CI test across interpreting modes—dialogue, long consecutive, simultaneous, and sight translation.

After completing the webinar you will gain: actionable advice, realistic preparation strategies, and encouragement to build confidence in your interpreting practice:

Knowledge of:

• The structure and expectations of the CI test
• NAATI resources, rubrics, and candidate instructions
• Real-world examples from legal, health, and community domains

Skills of:

• Developing note-taking systems, memory techniques, and delivery skills
• Simultaneous interpreting, including courtroom and mental health settings
• Managing test-day conditions
• Developing language competency, ethical practice, and professional growth

Presented/Facilitated by: Silvia Martinez

Silvia Martinez is a highly experienced interpreter and NAATI examiner on the Spanish panel. With many years of professional practice across diverse interpreting contexts—including legal, health, and community settings—Silvia brings deep insight into the skills and preparation required for high-level interpreting credentials. She holds both the Certified Specialist Legal Interpreter and Certified Conference Interpreter qualifications, and has worked extensively in simultaneous, consecutive, and sight translation modes. Silvia is passionate about supporting interpreters in their professional development and regularly contributes to training and assessment initiatives.

Note that this training is restricted to NAATI Certified Practitioners. Self-enrolment is only enabled for users with a valid CPN (please check and update your profile if necessary).

Translators and interpreters often work in high-pressure environments, facing both emotional and cognitive challenges that can significantly impact their wellbeing. This presentation will explore the concept of mental toughness as a key factor in building resilience and maintaining performance under pressure. It will also highlight the role of self-care in supporting personal wellbeing, preventing burnout, and sustaining long-term professional health.

This presentation will focus on:

• Understanding what mental toughness is and why it matters
• Exploring the core components of mental toughness
• Identifying practical strategies to build and strengthen mental toughness
• Reflecting on the meaning of self-care and how to apply it in your own life

This professional development webinar is presented in partnership with AUSIT and NAATI. 

Presenter:

Sarah Funnell is a Senior Clinical Psychologist at NSW Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network and Director and Founder of Elevate Psychology Centre. She has extensive experience working across different areas of the public sector. Sarah has substantial experience working with a myriad of presentation types. She has a strong commitment to promoting positive and meaningful change in the lives of individuals and families affected by mental health issues. Additionally, Sarah is very passionate about improving service provision and change within organisations, as well as providing support, supervision and training to individuals.

Note that this training is restricted to NAATI Certified Practitioners. Self-enrolment is only enabled for users with a valid CPN (please check and update your profile if necessary).

This webinar explores how book translation differs from agency and community work, and what publishers actually expect from translators. Topics include building relationships with publishers, working with style guides, contracts and payment structures, managing long-term projects with staggered delivery, and handling complex file formats and layouts.

Translators who are curious about book translation, looking to diversify their practice, or wanting a clearer understanding of the realities of working with publishers will benefit from this course.

After completing this webinar, participants will gain:

Knowledge of:

• The technical, organisational and research skills required for book projects
• Publisher agreements, style guides and potential cultural adaptations
• Practical strategies for finding work and creating a professional portfolio
• How to use AI thoughtfully as a professional tool for research and drafting
• Key differences compared to community or certified translations

Skills to:

• Manage a long-term book project
• Identify key contacts in the publishing industry
• Create a professional portfolio

Presenter

Nicola Thayil (née Savage) is a Melbourne-based French>English translator and French–English conference interpreter. She holds a Master of Interpreting and Translation Studies degree from Monash University, and has tutored in T&I Studies, both there and at Macquarie University, NSW. Nicola is currently AUSIT’s National Education Coordinator, serving on the Education Committee, as well as being mum to eight-year-old Joseph.

This is a 120-minute webinar on Preparing for Medical Interpreting Assignments offered by AUSIT in partnership with NAATI. 

Who would this be useful for? Interpreters and translators working in health settings.

After completing the webinar you will gain:

Knowledge of:

• Structured approaches to healthcare assignments
• Essential tools for terminology management and skill 
  growth

Skills to:

• Improve accuracy, confidence, and ethical decision-making
• Build practical skills for preparation, performance, and reflection

Presented/Facilitated by: Qiusi Zhang

Qiusi Zhang holds a Master of Translation and Interpreting. She is a Certified translator and interpreter, staff interpreter with WSLHD and a trainer and assessor (she delivers qualifications in Advanced Diploma of Translating and Interpreting and Diploma of Interpreting). She is involved with AUSIT as the Chairperson of the Tasmanian branch.

Note that this training is restricted to NAATI Certified Practitioners. Self-enrolment is only enabled for users with a valid CPN (please check and update your profile if necessary).

This webinar was part of the 2023 AUSIT National Conference.

Speakers: Ali Mond (Dept. of Home Affairs); Angelo Berbotto (AUSIT); Breda Diamond (Multicultural NSW Language Services); Jill McCabe (Professionals Australia); Kevin le Roux (Connecting Now); Mark Painting (NAATI); Rob Aurbach (JBML lecture)

Chair:  Silvia Martinez (AUSIT NSW)

This professional development webinar is presented in partnership with AUSIT and NAATI. 

Translating for evidentiary purposes is extremely challenging. To some extent, it is analogous to court interpreting, in that it should not only render what has been said but also how something is said, but in writing. An expert witness isn’t just there to share knowledge—they’re there to persuade, clarify, and withstand scrutiny. Therefore, preparing in advance is absolutely essential.

This webinar would benefit language professionals who would understand better the legal implications of their work when it is used as evidence in court. Language professionals would learn best practices for presenting expert evidence, handling cross-examination, and preparing statements.

Attending this webinar offers crucial insights into legal procedures, ethical responsibilities, and best practices when language professionals prepare themselves to give evidence in court as an Expert / Knowledgeable Witness.

• Enhance courtroom communication skills: Learn how to prepare to present linguistic evidence clearly and confidently under cross-examination.
• Prepare for high-stakes testimony: Understand how to structure Statements and respond to legal challenges effectively.
• Position yourself for expert witness roles: Build credibility and readiness to take on complex legal assignments.
• Stay competitive in legal translation markets: Demonstrating courtroom
   expertise can open doors to specialised work and higher compensation.

Presenter

Mr Steve Elkanovich is a practising NAATI Certified Professional Interpreter and Translator and has been an AUSIT member since 1996. He studied linguistics at the University of New South Wales and interpreting and translation at the Belarusian State Linguistic University. Steve has over forty years of professional experience and has worked as a professional Interpreter and Translator in Europe, Africa, and Australia, specialising in investigative and forensic translation and interpreting. He also taught languages and interpreting for many years at the Sydney Institute of Technology (TAFE). Currently, Steve is an Assistant Director Language Services at the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.

Presenter: Sofya Yunusova

Facilitators: Ludmila Stern & Sandra Hale (Macquarie University)

This webinar was part of the 2023 AUSIT National Conference.

Chair: J. Angelo Berbotto, AUSIT National President

This presentation will provide an overview of NAATI’s recent innovations around test preparation, test delivery and system refinements. The webinar was originally delivered in February 2024.

Presenter: Aurelie Shehan

In April 2022, the Judicial Council on Cultural Diversity (JCCD) launched the second edition of its Recommended National Standards (RNS). The RNS are directed at courts and tribunals, judicial officers, interpreters, and members of the legal profession. They aim to provide courts and legal professionals with guidance on engaging and working with interpreters to ensure procedural fairness for people with limited English proficiency.

Thanks to NAATI's sponsorship, AUSIT is able to present this free webinar to review the changes that have been introduced in light of NAATI’s new certification system and the recent surge in video remote court interpreting. We will explore the advances in the way court interpreters work since the first publication in 2017, and the achievements and challenges of implementing the RNS. Learn practical steps that will assist you in achieving the working conditions you require to professionally deliver your services so they may better serve the justice system.

Prior to attending the session, it would be beneficial for participants to familiarise themselves with the second edition of the RNS, which can be accessed for free on the JCCD’s website.

Presenter: Cintia Lee

The webinar looks at the AUSIT Code of Ethics to point out its most important principles and guides to ethical behaviour, while also looking at the areas which it sees as not part of interpreter or translator roles.

This 90-minute webinar will cover:

• The main principles of the Code of Ethics, particularly Accuracy, impartiality and Clarity of Role Boundaries
• Areas which the Code of Ethics specifically excludes, including ‘helping’, advocacy and cultural mediation
• The importance of professional judgement when making ethical judgements
• Diverse views contained in other codes of ethics and controversies over role

Who would this be useful for? 

Interpreters and translators of all backgrounds, but particularly those new to the profession or who work in some of the smaller, newer emerging languages and who have not undergone formal ethics education.

After completing the webinar you will gain:

Knowledge of:

• The AUSIT Code of Ethics and its main features
• Controversies over different points of views of interpreter and translator role 

Skills to:

• Apply professional judgement to ethical situations

Presented by:

Dr Uldis Ozolins, Western Sydney University & Fatih Karakas, All Graduates Head of Training

Dr Uldis Ozolins is a teacher, writer and researcher on Interpreting & Translation, and one of the leaders of the rewriting of the AUSIT Code of Ethics in 2012

Fatih Karakas has a Master’s in Translation and Interpreting and has taught at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and the University of New South Wales. Fatih is also the co-author of “Introduction to Healthcare for Turkish-speaking Interpreters and Translators.