Jumpstart for 2017

A Long-Term Study Plan for the Federal Oral Exam

About the Series

The oral portion of the Federal Court Interpreter Certification Exam (FCICE) is a daunting challenge for even skilled, experienced interpreters. The good news is that you STILL have a lot of time to prepare if you plan to take the exam next summer. The Jumpstart series offers webinars and/or live sessions to guide participants through setting and executing a long-term plan for success on the exam. By working systematically over time, participants will be able to truly deepen their skills and knowledge in a meaningful way well before the exam.

 

 

Session 6: I passed! . . . Now What?: Introduction to Federal Court Interpreting - January 2018

FREE for any participants in 2 or more sessions in the webinar series providing proof of a passing score on the oral FCICE. Pricing for members and non-members to be announced separately.

This session will cover everything you need to know to get started interpreting in federal court that WASN´T on the exam. Topics covered will include:

• What to expect between your score report and your first assignment in court
  
• Sources of work in the federal system
  
• Rates/Payment policies
  
• Marketing and publicity
  
• Online resources for billing and accessing case information
  
• Basic federal court concepts and steps of a case
  

PAST SESSIONS

Free Information Session
Tuesday, September 20, 2016, 7:00-8:00 pm, CST
Available via Facebook Live (CLICK HERE!)

Join instructor Ernest Nino-Murcia for an online presentation including a question and answer session. Topics covered will include:

• -        Outlining the challenge: What it takes to pass the exam.
• -        Defining the goal: Benefits of getting federally certified.
• -        Overview of the webinar series: Why start studying now and how these sessions will help you prepare

NOTE:  Registrants will have access to a recording of any webinar should they be unable to attend at the scheduled time. This will be sent to paid registrants within 7 days after the webinar has concluded.

Session 1: Vocabulary Building - Tuesday, January 26^th, 2016, 7:00pm-8:00pm CST

$25 for MATI Members, $35 for Non-members

This online session will kick off the series by laying out the keys to success on the exam (vocabulary, interpreting skills and exam strategy) before outlining an 18 month study plan to strengthen these areas effectively over time. The primary focus of this first session will be establishing a strong foundation of vocabulary for the exam by first identifying the specific categories of general, legal and technical terms that may appear on the exam- and what sources to consult to build this vocabulary. Finally, participants will be introduced to a system for systematically compiling, sorting and reviewing a high volume of terms effectively over a long period time through MS Excel (no prior experience with this program is necessary).  Specific topics covered include: what information to include with each word, categories and subcategories for organizing words and techniques for ongoing review including the creation of personalized, thematic review materials. 

Bonus Session: Preparing for the Written Portion of the FCICE (Spanish)  - Tuesday, March 15, 2016, 7:00-8:00pm, CST

$25 for MATI Members, $35 for Non-members 

Candidates interested in taking this summer’s written federal exam (the first step in the certification process) are invited to attend this session led by a federally-certified interpreter, former classroom teacher, and test prep instructor. Topics covered include:

• Overview of the certification program
  
• Format and content covered in the written exam
  
• Study resources and techniques
  
• Suggestions for designing a study program from now until test day
  

This session will be offered as a live webinar, which will include a question and answer period with the instructor. Participants will receive copies of the materials presented for use in their own preparation for the exam.

Session 2: Interpreting Skills for the Oral FCICE: Sight Translation (English <> Spanish) - Wednesday, June 29, 7:00pm - 8:00pm CST

$25 for MATI Members, $35 for Non-members

Building on the general introduction provided in the previous webinar, this online session will shift focus to specifically identifying and developing the skills needed for success on the sight translation section of the FCICE oral exam, including the following:

•         An overview of the types of texts and language found in this section
•         Practice exercises to be completed individually and reviewed as a group
•         Tips on what and how to study
•         Section-specific suggestions on test-taking strategy

Session 5: Exam Strategy and Practice Exam – January 24, 2017: Practice Exam, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

January 31, 2017: Follow-up session, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Session 5 will be an opportunity for participants to put content and skills covered in earlier sessions to use by taking and reviewing a practice version of the federal oral exam.

Silver Package:
Students who purchase the Silver Package will attend a group-proctored exam by webinar.  Students will be responsible for grading their own exam (with the answer key provided) before the follow-up session.  

Debrief/Question Session, January 31 from 7:00pm – 8:00pm Central Time: After having a week to review and grade their exams, students will review the test with the presenter, while also having the opportunity to ask questions.

NOTE: A recording of the January 24 testing session will ONLY be made available through January 31 to registrants unable to attend at the scheduled time. 

Gold Package

Test Session, January 24 from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Central Time 

Students who purchase the Gold Package will attend a group-proctored exam by webinar.  Students will submit a recording of their exam performance to the presenter for evaluation and personalized written feedback.

Debrief/Question Session, January 31 from 7:00pm – 8:00pm Central Time: Students will review the test with the presenter, while also having the opportunity to ask questions.

 

Platinum Package

Students will take an individually-proctored exam which will be scheduled directly with the presenter.  The exam will then be evaluated and discussed a 1 hour individual review/feedback session with the presenter.