The Course
This self-paced, asynchronous training equips participants with practical tools and strategies to enhance their effectiveness as interpreter mentors and coaches. Through a blend of required core content and optional advanced modules, participants will gain confidence in observing interpreter performance, writing supportive case notes, and engaging in feedback conversations that promote growth.
Core modules focus on structured observation techniques, documenting performance accurately and non-evaluatively, and facilitating developmental dialogue that empowers interpreters. Participants will learn to identify key focus areas and craft strategic mentoring plans that align with individual interpreter needs.
Optional modules offer an opportunity to deepen your impact by exploring complex mentoring scenarios. Topics include ethical decision-making, fostering motivation, asking powerful questions, and applying a coaching mindset rooted in deep listening and performance frameworks.
Whether you're new to mentoring or seeking to refine your practice, this training provides actionable insights to support interpreter development with clarity, compassion, and skill.
What you will learn
Participants will be able to:
- Effectively observe and document performance by applying structured techniques for observing others’ work and writing accurate, supportive case notes.
- Engage in constructive dialogue that promotes interpreter development by practicing feedback strategies that support performance improvement.
- Prioritize developmental needs and establish focus areas for strategic mentoring by integrating observations and dialogue into a cohesive plan for performance progress.
By the end of the optional training modules, participants will be able to:
- Support interpreters in complex decision-making and motivation by using powerful questions, ethical mentoring strategies, and techniques to inspire excellence.
- Apply advanced mentoring techniques by integrating performance models, deep listening skills, and a coaching mindset to elevate interpreter growth and autonomy.
Curriculum
- Unit 5: Mentoring with a Coaching Mindset (30 mins)
- Unit 6: Using Powerful Questions in Mentoring Technical & Ethical Decision-Making (30 mins)
- Unit 7: Motivating & Inspiring Interpreters Toward Excellence (30 mins)
- Unit 8: Using Models to Understand and Enhance Performance (30 mins)
- Unit 9: Listening Between the Words (30 mins)
- Unit 10: Advanced Mentoring Skills (30 mins)
Your trainer
Amanda is a nationally certified interpreter, educator, and coach dedicated to advancing the field of interpreting and interpreter education. With a master’s in Interpreter Pedagogy and nearly two decades of teaching at Western Oregon University, she has shaped future interpreters and educators with insight, rigor, and compassion. Amanda draws from professional experience, creative practices, and somatic coaching to foster reflective, ethical, and effective interpreting. Through A.R. Smith Studios, she supports interpreter educators, coaches and mentors in refining their craft and cultivating professional presence. Amanda’s work bridges teaching, interpreting, and personal growth, inviting transformation grounded in presence, purpose, and community connection.
Practice
apply structured observation and documentation techniques.
Analysis
observing interpreting work and identifying priorities to shape the action plan.
Powerful Questioning
Crafting 'good' questions to spark reflection, insight, and self-discovery.