Effects of short intensive practice on interpreter trainees’ performance

The performance of ten interpreting students participating in a one-week practice programme in real conference conditions was measured using two tools established in research on interpreting: propositional accuracy scores and error analysis. These tools were applied to the students’ interpretations recorded in an experimental setting before and after the practice programme. The results suggest a slight average improvement in the students’ interpreting skills, yet none in their delivery. The study has some important practical implications on how the practice programme will be run in the future.