Foundations in Conflict Resolution and ADR for Interpreters

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) plays out in courts and community mediation programs across the U.S. They face a huge backlog due to COVID-related court closures, and a number of these programs will need interpreters. But do you have the knowledge, skills and terminology to interpret confidently for online or in-person negotiations, mediations, or settlement conferences?

In Foundations in Conflict Resolution and ADR for Interpreters, participants will learn how to apply their interpreting skills to ADR. This intensive workshop is highly interactive. Through role plays, videos, decision-making, skills-building, terminology exercises and more, you will apply what you learn immediately. Your engaging hosts are two ADR-specialized experts (a court-certified interpreter who is a bilingual certified mediator and a former attorney now working as a court ADR Administrator). They will guide you through the labyrinth of ADR. You will also learn about interpreting online for ODR: Online Dispute Resolution.

Course goal: Introduce interpreters to the minimal competencies required when interpreting for a range of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes.

Target audience: Court-certified; legal, medical and community interpreters with 40 hours or more of interpreter training

Co-trainers:

Maria Ceballos-Wallis, MA; GA/FL CCI, CHI, GA RM (Registered Neutral)

Barrie J. Roberts, ADR Administrator, Los Angeles Superior Court; JD; LL.M. (Dispute Resolution); MA (TESOL)

Course length: 10 hours (8 hours live online training, 2 hours self-paced online training)

Class Schedule: November 7 and 14, 2020 (Saturdays)

Timetable: 12:00-5:00 p.m. ET (9:00 a.m.-2:00p.m. PT) each day with a break from 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. PT)

CEUs: 

• Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters (CCHI): 6 CE hours (2 Performance-Based)
• International Medical Interpreters Association: 0.6 IMIA/NBCMI CEUs
• American Translators Association: 8 ATA CEPs
• Maryland Court Interpreter Program: 10 CE credits
  
• Pennsylvania Interpreter Certification Program (ICP): 10 CEUs
• Florida Court Interpreter Certification and Regulation Program: CIE credits pending
• Colorado Courts Office of Language Access: 4 CE credits
• Washington State Court Interpreter Program: 10 Performance CEUs 
• Judicial Council of California: 10 CIMCE credits (8 instructor-led, 2 non-instructor led)
• Ontario Council on Community Interpreting: 10 OCCI PDUs

Learning objectives:

After completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Understand the differences among Court/Litigation, Conflict Resolution and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
2. Describe what interpreters need to know about the three main ADR processes: negotiation, mediation and settlement conferences.
3. Understand the role of active listening techniques and deliberate use of language in building trust, rapport and consensus for successful ADR/CR events in contrast to court settings.
4. Demonstrate the ability to interpret during all three stages of mediation, selecting the most appropriate interpreting mode for each stage and determining how to best position yourself.
5. Be able to identify and sight translate the most common documents used in mediation and address the challenges they present for interpreters.
6. Learn how to get buy-in for the interpreted process from mediation participants by drafting and practicing your pre-mediation briefing and interpreter’s introduction. (What should you ask and tell the mediator and the parties to promote a successful interpreted encounter?)
7. Identify the need for functional equivalents of standard terms in ADR in your LOTE (Language other than English) and create your own glossary.
8. Demonstrate the ability to problem-solve and intervene professionally using your Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice when addressing communication breakdowns in mediation, including emotionally charged events, and demonstrate the ability to justify decisions to intervene or not.

Technical requirements:

• Computer (Recommend i5 processor or above)
• Zoom (Updated Version)
• Chrome or Firefox (Updated Version)
• Quality headset with boom mounted microphone (Essential equipment for your professional life. Invest now. No earbuds, please!) Advice on choosing a headset.
• High speed internet (minimum 5 mbps upload/10 download) Test Your Speed.
• Ethernet cable (Must connect computer directly to router. Minimum quality CAT6)**
• Ethernet to USB adapter (if needed)**
• Blank or uncluttered background (for VRI)**
• External Monitor**

**Recommended but not required

This course is limited to 20 participants. Once the course has reached capacity, those interested will be added to a waitlist in the order in which their inquiry is received.

Training Participant Information Release

By registering for our live online training programs, you agree to allow Cross-Cultural Communications, LLC to share your contact information with participants in the same training session for purposes of creating a collaborative online training experience for all participants. Should you have concerns or not wish to have your contact information shared by CCC, prior to the training session please contact Maisoon Ateem Abdelrhman, Program Manager.