Sign language interpreters: training, studies, overview of schools

Sign language interpreters can be found at a wide variety of occasions and events, interpreting the daily news or in video mediation, at parents' evenings, visits to the authorities, doctors' appointments, continuing education, further training, at work and in various situations in which communication takes place between hearing and deaf or hearing-impaired people. The Procom Foundation provides interpreting services in Switzerland.

After successfully completing the Bachelor's degree program and the Bachelor's thesis, graduates of the Sign Language Interpreting degree program are awarded the degree "Bachelor of Arts University of Applied Sciences in Sign Language Interpreting".

An entrance examination is required for admission to the Bachelor's degree course in Sign Language Interpreting. This examination consists of three parts: an interview, a test of motor skills and a memory test.

The Bachelor's degree program in Sign Language Interpreting at a University of Applied Sciences (UAS) consists of a large number of modules and courses that provide students with the skills they need to pursue a professional career.

The following topics are therefore covered, among others:
(Note: The names of the training contents vary depending on the school).

• Sign language competence (including language structure, grammar and linguistics of sign language)
• Interpreting techniques (including interpreting in various settings (education, authorities, medicine, media, culture))
• Linguistics & language comparison (e.g. comparison of spoken language and sign language, semantics, syntax, pragmatics of both languages)
• Deaf Studies & Deaf Culture
• Ethics & professional practice (e.g. fields of work, standards, professional ethics)
• Translation & text work

Tip: As education providers focus on different topics, it is worth asking the school individually. You can use our contact form to get in touch and clarify your questions.

Students on the bachelor's degree course in sign language interpreting complete a total of nine internships. These are two observation internships, one interpreting internship in learning groups, one interpreting internship with a learning partner, two individual interpreting internships and one cultural internship.

Sign language interpreters have a university degree in sign language interpreting, which qualifies them to practice their profession.

The sign language interpreting course is a full-time course and lasts six semesters.