The Community Spanish Interpreter curriculum prepares individuals to work as entry-level bilingual professionals who will provide communication access in interview and interactive settings. In addition, this curriculum provides educational training for working professionals who want to acquire Spanish language skills.
Coursework includes the acquisition of Spanish: grammar, structure, and sociolinguistic properties, cognitive processes associated with interpretation between Spanish and English; the structure and character of the Hispanic community; and acquisition of communication skills.
Graduates should qualify for entry-level jobs as para-professional bilingual employees in educational systems or a variety of community settings. Individuals may choose from part-time, full-time, or self-employment/free-lance positions, or apply language skills to other human service related areas.
Upon successful completion of this program, the student should be able to:
- Students will be able to identify appropriate norms and traditions associated with specific cultural behaviors.
- Students will be able to demonstrate an active dialogue and interpretation using both the Spanish and English language.
- Students will be able to identify key phonological distinctions between English and Spanish, particularly in contexts prone to interference that may impact comprehension.
- Students will be able to demonstrate the skills and competencies necessary to translate documents from English to Spanish, as well as from Spanish to English.
- Students will able to demonstrate professionalism while serving as interpreters and representatives of the profession.
A.A.S. in Community Spanish Interpreter (A55370)
Program of Study
| Fall Semester | |||
| ACA-111 | College Student Success | 1 | |
| CIS-113 | Computer Basics | 1 | |
| ENG-111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3 | |
| SPA-111 | Elementary Spanish I | 3 | |
| SPA-120 | Spanish for the Workplace | 3 | |
| SPA-181 | Spanish Lab 1 | 1 | |
| ## | Humanities/Fine Arts Elective | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | |||
| ENG-114 | Professional Research & Reporting | 3 | |
| MAT-143 | Quantitative Literacy | 3 | |
| SPA-112 | Elementary Spanish II | 3 | |
| SPA-161 | Cultural Immersion | 3 | |
| SPA-182 | Spanish Lab II | 1 | |
| SPA-215 | Spanish Phonics/Structure | 3 | |
| Summer Semester | |||
| COM-231 | Public Speaking | 3 | |
| PSY-150 | General Psychology | 3 | |
| Fall Semester | |||
| SPA-141 | Culture and Civilzation | 3 | |
| SPA-211 | Intermediate Spanish I | 3 | |
| SPA-281 | Spanish Lab 3 | 1 | |
| SPI-113 | Intro to Spanish Inter. (8 week course offering) | 3 | |
| SPI-114 | Analytical Skills Spanish Inter. (8 week course offering) | 3 | |
| SPI-213 | Review of Grammar | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | |||
| SPA-212 | Intermediate Spanish II (1st 8-week course offering) | 3 | |
| SPA-221 | Spanish Conversation (2nd 8-week course offering) | 3 | |
| SPA-231 | Reading and Composition (2nd 8-week course offering) | 3 | |
| SPA-282 | Spanish Lab 4 (1st 8-week course offering) | 1 | |
| SPI-214 | Intro to Translation | 3 | |
| WBL-111 | Work Based Learning I | 1 | |
| WBL-115 | Work Based Learning Seminar I | 1 |
## Humanities/Fine Arts Electives – ART 111, HUM 115, MUS 110, REL 110
Spanish Language & Workplace Certificate (C55370)
The Spanish Language & Workplace certificate will provide students with the language skills and the cultural background knowledge needed to effectively communicate in Spanish within both the workplace and the community.
Program of Study
| SPA-111 | Elementary Spanish I | 3 | |
| SPA-181 | Spanish Lab 1 | 1 | |
| SPA-120 | Spanish for the Workplace | 3 | |
| SPA-112 | Elementary Spanish II | 3 | |
| SPA-182 | Spanish Lab II | 1 | |
| SPA-215 | Spanish Phonics/Structure | 3 |
- American Translators Association (ATA) Membership Information
- Carolina Association of Translators and Interpreters (CATI) Membership Information
- How to Become a Healthcare Interpreter
- How to Become a Certified Medical Interpreter
- How to Become a Federal Court Interpreter
- Resources for Current and Prospective Court Interpreters
- Career Resources for Community Spanish Interpreter Students and Recent Graduates
A CCP pathway for high school juniors and seniors is available for this program. Visit the Career and College Promise page for more information.
The Career and College Promise (CCP) Program provides opportunities for eligible high school students to start college early, where courses can count for dual credit (credit in the high school and college at the same time), all TUITION-FREE! CCP students accelerate completion of college certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees that provide entry-level job skills and/or lead to college transfer credit.
Community Spanish Interpreter Instructor
Department: Faculty
Phone: (252) 246-1354
Email: lbenavent@wilsoncc.edu
Office: D204
Dean of College Transfer and Public Services
Department: Faculty
Phone: (252) 246-1309
Email: sroberts@wilsoncc.edu
Office: C203a
Frequently Asked Questions
The length of time to complete the Community Spanish Interpreter (A.A.S.) degree or certificate depends on the number of pre-requisite math and English courses students must take, the time at which students are admitted into the program, and the number of courses students take each semester. Students are admitted in fall, spring, and summer semesters, but specific courses are only offered once a year. Full-time students can finish the degree in two years if they follow the sequence set forth in the plan of study, which requires students to take courses in the summer.
Certificate students are able to earn their certificate in one year. Once students complete the prerequisites, they should be able to complete the certificate in two semesters by taking 2 courses each semester.
In order to have the best idea of exactly how long the program will take, it is recommended that you apply, have your transcripts sent for evaluation, and then follow up with your program advisor who can provide you with a personalized, semester-by-semester plan outlining the specific courses you would need to take. That plan would include an “anticipated graduation” date.
Community Spanish Interpreter program courses are offered in a variety of formats, including online, in-person, and hyflex. HyFlex courses give students the flexibility to choose how they attend each class meeting based on two options: (1) attend in-person at the scheduled meeting times or (2) complete weekly online activities by the specified due date. When program classes meet on campus, it is usually 1-2 days per week. Most online courses are asynchronous, which means students are not required to be present online at a specific time.
Once students graduate with a Community Spanish Interpreter (A.A.S.) degree, students do not need to pass a test or earn a license to seek employment in the field of interpreting and translation. Most employers do not require their employees to be certified; however, there are some professions, such as medical and court interpreters that may require the employee to pass an exam after graduation and earn a specific certification. There are several nationally accredited certifications.
Graduates should qualify for entry-level jobs as para-professional bilingual employees in educational systems or a variety of community settings. Individuals may choose from part-time, full-time, or self-employment/free-lance positions, or apply language skills to other human service-related areas. Career opportunities for Spanish Interpreters include Social Work, Human Resources, Immigration Specialists, and Teachers. For more information, visit the Career Resources tab above.
No, even though some knowledge of Spanish is always helpful, the program has a diversity of students with no prior knowledge of the Spanish language. Both types of students are successful in completing the degree or certificate program.
