We Value Difference.
About The Training
This accredited training prepares bilingual speakers for the field of interpreting. It covers all 7 public sector areas as well as the private sector. It introduces learners to the interpreting business and presents them with an opportunity to start a career.
Structure: The course covers all aspects of interpreting, from interpreting techniques, Code of Conduct, and real-life case studies to practical role plays, as well as presentations from guest speakers. The training concludes with a final role-play assessment and submission of a portfolio.
What you gain: Access to an online learning platform with videos, face-to-face tuition with an experienced tutor, guest speaker presentations from a range of service areas, an OCNNI certificate upon successful completion of written assessments, language assessment, and detailed feedback.
Duration: 6-week course
Entry Requirements: Fluent in mother tongue language (including reading and writing) and a good level of spoken and written English.
How to apply: Please contact training@diversityni.co.uk or 02890473737 to receive an application pack and be allocated a free assessment slot.
Venue: Live online classes
Cost: £550:00
The course is open to applicants of all languages.
Interpreter Training
Learn interpreting from someone who does it every day
Diversity NI is an accredited OCN NI centre delivering the OCN NI Level 4 Community Interpreting in the Public and Private Sectors course, along with preparation for the Level 6 Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (DPSI) and the CIOL Level 7 Diploma in Translation.
The course is taught fully online, so learners can join from anywhere in Northern Ireland, Ireland and mainland UK.
What makes our training different is who teaches it. Your tutor, Paolina Hawthorne, is the founder and Managing Director of Diversity NI, one of Northern Ireland’s largest interpreting companies, and has over 20 years of hands on interpreting experience. You will learn the profession from someone who books interpreters, works with courts, hospitals and police every day, and knows exactly what clients expect from a professional interpreter.
Course at a glance
| Course | OCN NI Level 4 Community Interpreting in the Public and Private Sectors |
| Delivery | Online, live with your tutor |
| Duration | 6 weeks |
| Schedule | Every Friday, 10:00 to 15:00 |
| Intakes | Three to four times a year |
| Entry requirement | C1 level English, assessed at interview |
| Assessment | 23 written questions and a role play, with continuous assessment throughout |
| Open to | Learners across Northern Ireland, Ireland and mainland UK |
| Tutor | Paolina Hawthorne, Managing Director, over 20 years of interpreting experience |
What you will learn
This is not a theory course. It prepares you for the real situations you will face from your very first assignment:
- How the profession really works: how bookings are made, what agencies and clients expect, and how public and private sector settings differ.
- The Code of Professional Conduct: what it says, why it matters, and which parts protect you, your client and the public when a session becomes difficult.
- How to manage a session: introducing yourself, positioning, managing turn taking, intervening correctly, handling interruptions, and closing the session properly.
- Modes of interpreting: consecutive, simultaneous and whispered interpreting, sight translation, and telephone and video interpreting.
- The dos and don’ts: impartiality, confidentiality, boundaries, conflicts of interest, and the common mistakes new interpreters make.
- Working in key settings: health and social care, courts and legal services, police, immigration, education, housing and the workplace.
- Terminology and preparation: building your glossaries and preparing for specialist assignments.
Who the course is for
The course is for bilingual people who want to start a professional career as an interpreter, and for working interpreters who want a recognised Level 4 award. You will need C1 level English, which we assess at a short interview, and fluency in at least one other language.
Why train with Diversity NI?
- Accredited and recognised. Delivered by an accredited OCN NI centre.
- Taught by a practising professional. Over 20 years of real interpreting experience, not just classroom knowledge.
- Inside knowledge of the industry. Learn what agencies and public sector clients actually look for when they choose an interpreter.
- Fully online. Study from home, wherever you live in Northern Ireland, Ireland or mainland UK.
- A route into work. Successful learners are welcome to apply to join the Diversity NI interpreter register.
- A clear progression path. Move on to DPSI preparation at Level 6 and the CIOL Diploma in Translation at Level 7, all with the same provider.
Interpreter Training: Frequently Asked Questions
What qualification do I need to become an interpreter?
Most interpreting agencies and public sector clients expect a minimum of Level 4 in interpreting. Diversity NI delivers the OCN NI Level 4 Community Interpreting in the Public and Private Sectors course online, and also offers DPSI preparation at Level 6 for those who want to work in legal and other specialist settings.
Who teaches the course?
The course is taught by Paolina Hawthorne, founder and Managing Director of Diversity NI, with over 20 years of hands on interpreting experience. Learners gain practical, real world insight into how the profession works, what clients expect, and how to handle challenging sessions.
Is the course accredited?
Yes. The course is accredited by OCN NI, and Diversity NI is an accredited OCN NI centre. Diversity NI also holds CIOL exams every year, as an Institute of Linguists Educational Trust Examination Centre.
Is the course online?
Yes. The course is delivered fully online, live with your tutor, so you can join from anywhere in Northern Ireland, Ireland or mainland UK. Sessions run every Friday from 10:00 to 15:00.
How long does the course take?
The course runs for 6 weeks, with one live online session every Friday from 10:00 to 15:00. New courses start three to four times a year.
What are the entry requirements?
You need C1 level English, which we assess at a short interview before you join, and fluency in at least one other language. The course suits both new interpreters and practising interpreters who want a recognised Level 4 award.
How is the course assessed?
You are assessed through 23 written questions and a role play, with continuous assessment throughout the course. The role play gives you the chance to manage a realistic interpreting session from start to finish.
What does the course cover?
The course covers the Code of Professional Conduct, managing an interpreting session, the different modes of interpreting, ethics and boundaries, and working in health, legal, police, immigration, education and workplace settings. It is designed to prepare you for real assignments, not just the assessment.
Can I qualify in more than one language?
Yes. You do not need to repeat the course. Once you have passed in your first language, you can be assessed in your second language.
Will the course help me find work?
Yes. Level 4 is the standard most interpreting agencies and public sector clients require. Because your tutor runs an interpreting company, you will learn exactly what agencies look for, and successful learners are welcome to apply to join the Diversity NI interpreter register.
Is there enough demand for my language?
Demand for languages changes quickly. In Northern Ireland, Somali, Arabic and Polish are currently among the most requested, while rare languages such as Tigrinya, Tetum and Fante are in short supply. We recommend choosing interpreting as a long term career rather than for one language’s current demand.
What can I study after Level 4?
You can progress to the Level 6 Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (DPSI), which is often required for legal and court work, and to the CIOL Level 7 Diploma in Translation. Diversity NI offers DPSI preparation and holds CIOL exams, so you can continue your training with the same provider.
How much does the course cost?
Contact us on 028 9047 3737 or at info@diversityni.co.uk for current course fees and the next start date.
How do I apply?
Call 028 9047 3737 or email info@diversityni.co.uk to register your interest. We will arrange a short interview to confirm your English level and book your place on the next course.
