Interpreter Assessment Program
Very coveted in the language services industry is how to measure proficiency in language and interpreting skill. Using effective testing methodologies can gauge the qualifications of your interpreter base and elevate your language services model towards a more Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Service. Our Interpreter Assessment Program (IAP) consists of evaluation tools that were created following standards within the language services industry. Candidates are measured on linguistic fluency, medical terms and practices, and interpreting skills and ethics. The goal is to allow you to determine, through a comprehensive and user-friendly interface, your bilingual or multilingual staff’s ability to serve as an interpreter both linguistically and competently.
The IAP is not pass/fail, rather, it is an appraisal of the candidate’s abilities and knowledge. Our testing batteries follow the standards set forth by the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and recommendations of the National Council on Interpretation in Health Care (NCIHC). At AVAZA, candidates must post acceptable scores to continue on to training.
The IAP is made up of four major testing batteries:
Language Assessment Model
With the Language Assessment Model, we test the five main components of language: oral fluency, message construction, comprehension, grammar, and response in both English and the target language(s), making it both easy and convenient for you.
- Must apply and schedule for testing times
- Testing times average around 30 minutes
- Oral testing is conducted over the phone and is scheduled
- Written tests are administered at our location or can be taken online by appointment
- Results will be sent with assessment evaluations that score:
- 0 – No presence of practical proficiency
- 1 – “House” or “survival” proficiency
- 2 – Limited proficiency
- 3 – Working proficiency
- 4 – “Studied” or “professional” proficiency
- 5 – “Native” or “superior” proficiency
Terms and Practices Model
With the Terms and Practices Model we test in specific industry terms like healthcare, social services, and emergency services, making it practical for you to know your or your candidate’s knowledge of said terms. The testing includes terminology from various industries we work in but primarily focuses on healthcare-related terms, structures, and idioms.
- Must apply and schedule for testing times
- Testing times average 30 to 45 minutes
- Tests are administered at our location or can be taken online by appointment
- Results will be sent with assessment evaluations that score:
- 0 – No working knowledge of terms and practices
- 1 – Limited knowledge
- 2 – Working knowledge
- 3 – Higher learning knowledge; advanced understanding and usage of terms and practices
Interpreting Skills Model
This model tests the candidate’s knowledge of interpreting standards, Code of Ethics, interpreting skills (memory retention, intervention, and message response and flow), and interpreting modes (consecutive, simultaneous, and sight translation).
- Must apply and schedule for testing times
- Testing times average 30 minutes
- Tests are administered at our location or can be taken online by appointment
- Results will be sent with assessment evaluations that score:
- 0 – No presence of interpreting competency
- 1 – Limited competency, limited understanding
- 2 – Working competency
- 3 – Professional competency; full understanding of interpreting skills and practice.
Ethics and Interpreting Model
The Ethics and Interpreting Model tests candidates on knowledge of ethical standards in the industry, HIPAA, and difficult and conflicting issues in interpreting, assuring you that you or your candidate are able to interpret correctly and ethically without question.
- Must apply and schedule for testing times
- Testing times average 30 minutes
- Tests are administered at our location or can be taken online by appointment
- Results will be sent with assessment evaluations that score:
- 0 – No knowledge
- 1 – Limited competency, limited understanding
- 2 – Working competency
- 3 – Professional competency, excellent problem-solving skills