South Piedmont Community College is now offering a Spanish Interpreter program, an ideal choice for anyone interested in languages and helping others. It is the only program of its kind in western North Carolina.
“Spanish interpreters are in high demand across a variety of settings, from schools to hospitals. Whether they’re assisting parents in enrolling their children in school or communicating life-saving information, Spanish interpreters bridge the communication gap between English and Spanish speakers — and make a meaningful difference for both sides of the conversation,” said Program Lead Natalie Korda.
South Piedmont’s Spanish Interpreter program was created as a direct response to the increasing number of Spanish speakers in our community as well as a surge of student interest in the career.
Students in the program will learn about the basics of being a community Spanish interpreter, including the career outlook, cultural and linguistic understanding and competency, ethics and specialized terminology. They will take part in role-play and service-learning activities, while assessing and developing their own bilingual interpreting skills.
“We’re providing a comprehensive program focused on real-world interpreting skills. Students will receive a rigorous Spanish interpreter education, complete with real-world, service-learning experiences. They will feel more than prepared for the next steps after leaving this program,” Korda said.
South Piedmont is offering certificate, diploma and degree options in Spanish interpreting, ranging from two semesters to two years. Options are also available for high schools students.