On the Cambridge Conference Interpretation Course, our aim is to make students better interpreters under whatever (unforeseen) circumstances may arise.

To this end, we feel it is counterproductive to present participants ahead of time with each speech so that they may study each unfamiliar word and concept to give the smoothest possible rendition in the booth. 

Firstly, this is not interpretation, but spoken translation, obeying a radically different dynamic. 

Secondly, it hardly replicates real-life circumstances. 

Thirdly, it gives a misleading impression of the intrinsic linguistic and intellectual abilities of the student, and artificially limits the teaching staff’s perception of strong and weak points, and therefore the value of their feedback.

Our philosophy consists of presenting topics that could realistically arise (and in every case have arisen!) in conference work, and analyzing performance in the presence of difficulties arising therefrom.  The combination of topics employed covers virtually the entire spectrum of interpreting challenges.

Our aim is not to teach language or vocabulary, but quality interpretation even without systematic advance warning of words, themes, or topics.  Many years of experience with the CCIC ensures that there is indeed “method in [our] madness.”

We want to help students realize their full potential as conference interpreters under any circumstances.

Per ardua ad astra!