A few years ago, Durham Technical Community College recognized the need to train translators and interpreters in the community, and to have a more systematic program that would train bilingual people and capture the American population as well. Given the need in the community, confirmed predominantly by professionals in the field, and the constant demand of students, Durham Technical Community College requested and obtained approval from the Systems Office to start the Community Spanish Facilitator Certificate Program at Durham Technical Community College in 2003. This program prepares students to act as paraprofessional Spanish interpreters in the community.

Courses are taught within a cultural context and include relevant community service projects. This is a day and evening program. The required courses are offered during lunchtime and evening hours to accommodate working students.

Medical Spanish Facilitator Certificate
This 15-credit hour certificate prepares students to work as para-professional, medical Spanish interpreters whose goal it is to facilitate oral communication between individuals in medical settings. Through academic and cultural preparation, students of this program develop skills related to the medical consecutive interpretation and sight translation, cross-cultural awareness and a deep knowledge of the medical interpreter code of ethics.

For information about the program, please visit the Durham Technical Community College's Web site at www.durhamtech.edu/html/prospective/programsofstudy/spi.htm

For admissions information, contact Martin Nichols at (919) 686-3627 or nicholsm@durhamtech.edu.