Xchange Services UK
The Edinburgh Workshops
Xchange Services (UK) Ltd is expanding the number and range of workshops on offer in 2012. For the first time we are running four Interpreters’ Workshops in August, as well as a Translators’ Workshop in June. We are also organizing a Student Workshop in March. For details see below.
Workshop Content:
The level and emphasis of the workshops will obviously vary according to the target group involved, but the aim of all of them is to offer linguists an opportunity to brush up their communication skills and update their knowledge of English. To ensure intensive tuition, numbers are strictly limited to 8 participants.
• Passive skills: Video and sound recordings, plus invited speakers
• Active skills: Discussion, summaries, presentations etc.
• Vocabulary flexibility, use of metaphors, collocations etc.
• If required, instruction in specific points of English usage
• Materials covering a variety of topics of general interest
The instructors:
Hugh Keith, BA, MITI – interpreter and translator, former university teacher. Has run interpreting workshops in Edinburgh and Cologne over the past twelve years.
Alan Ross, MA – language and communication trainer, translator. Has been involved in professional development training in Japan, Germany and Scotland for more than 25 years.
Professional Interpreters’ Workshops
• Summer Workshop 1: 30 July –3 August 2012
• Summer Workshop 2: 6 – 10 August 2012
• Summer Workshop 3: 20 – 24 August 2012 (English “C”)
• Summer Workshop 4: 27 – 31 August 2012
Most of the workshops are designed for experienced interpreters with English as a “B” language, but Workshop 3 is recommended if you are English “C” with good spoken English skills. To enable us to put together suitable groups, we would ask you to indicate ALL the dates on which you would be available in August – and to make it clear whether you are an English “B” or “C”.. Each workshop will only take place if at least 6 participants register. (Please note: simultaneous interpreting practice is NOT involved in any of the workshops).
Professional Translators’ Workshop
• 25-29 June, 2012
Following inquiries from a number of colleagues we have decided also to offer a workshop specifically for a group of translators. Like the interpreters’ workshops, it will be strictly limited to 8 participants and will focus on active and passive language skills with an emphasis on the spoken language, but may include some work on texts as well. There will be NO translation as such.
Venue
All the workshops for professionals take place at a central location (just off Edinburgh’s Royal Mile). The August Workshops coincide with the Edinburgh International Festival and/or Edinburgh Fringe Festival, so there are ample opportunities for cultural visits.
Fee: £620 (N.B.: pounds sterling; no VAT payable), with a non-returnable deposit payable in advance on confirmation of registration. Fee includes 30 hours of activities. The venue offers use of computers, free WiFi, free breakfast and unlimited tea, coffee, biscuits and fresh fruit throughout. Guaranteed maximum group size: 8
Accommodation: This should be booked and paid for separately by participants. A list of contact addresses is sent out with confirmation of registration.
Student Workshop
• 4-9 March, 2012
This workshop offers students an opportunity to brush up their active and passive communication skills and update their knowledge of (British) English. (Please note: actual simultaneous interpreting practice is not involved). To ensure intensive tuition, numbers are limited to 8 participants. The workshop will take place at a residential site a short bus ride away from the centre of the historic city of Edinburgh. The fee is EUR 650 (no VAT payable) and includes bed and breakfast accommodation in single or double rooms for five nights, light lunch on 5 days, plus tea, coffee and biscuits, plus 30 hours of teaching and activities.
For more details of all workshops, please contact Hugh Keith:
hugh.keith@xchange-services.co.uk
Provisional Registration: Please write to hugh.keith@xchange-services.co.uk , if appropriate indicating whether you are English “B” or “C” and – if you are applying to come in August – which workshop(s) you would be available for.
The workshops are filling up very quickly, so we would advise you to register your interest earlier rather than later!
Intensive English:
Are you thinking of coming to Edinburgh with a friend, spouse or partner who’d like to brush up their English while you’re at the workshop? Or are you thinking of attending a workshop yourself and would like some one-to-one teaching the week before? Please let us know – we can offer classes in conjunction with an experienced EFL provider.
