MCIS Training Programs

Most of our courses are provided asynchronously, so you can start a course at any time. The exception is Advanced Court Interpreter Training (ACIT) offered as virtual instructor-led sessions in spring and fall. For ACIT training dates and times, please check the registration form or keep an eye for our Training Newsletter. For training costs, please check the individuals course pages on our website.

Each course has its own training completion requirements that can be found in the course syllabus and on the course page on the MCIS eLearning platform. Overall, you must review all interactive modules, complete all the required assignments and activities, and pass course final quizzes.

All MCIS training programs are language-neutral and offered in English. However, you will have plenty of exercises where you will practice interpreting and/or translating from and into your language.

MCIS training programs are offered entirely in English but available to speakers of different languages as long as they have full proficiency in English and another language.

Our programs are developed in such a way that will allow students to build solid skills in interpretation and translation, learn how to apply field-specific strategies and industry best practices to their particular language combinations. They will also practice solving common interpretation or translation issues specific for their language combination through a series of self-study activities.

Speaking two languages does not make a person an interpreter or a translator. Interpretation and translation are highly skilled professions that require a complex set of skills and competencies and following industry best practices. You will develop skills to transfer meaning accurately and faithfully from one language into another one. You will also learn about the use of technology that increases productivity and the quality of your work. Additionally, many organizations and companies require language professionals to be trained and request training certificates.

We have automated certificates for all our Continued Competence Training Programs, so you should be able to download your certificate directly from the course page on Moodle once you meet all the course completion requirements. If your access to the course has expired, please email to training@mcis.on.ca to request a certificate.

For our Core or Advanced Training Programs, you need to request a certificate using a Certificate Request Form found on the individual course pages on Moodle.

Possible reasons for not receiving a certificate of completion:

1. You haven’t completed all the course completion requirements.
2. You haven’t passed a language skills assessment test (ILSAT/CILISAT) yet (for Core Interpreter Program only). You will only be issued a Letter of Attestation once you complete OLIT. Should you pass and provide the results of your language skills assessment test, you can request a certificate of completion.
3. You haven’t passed the post-training assessment (PTA) (for Core Translator Training Program and ACIT only)
4. You haven’t submitted a Certificate Request Form found on the individual course page on Moodle.

Please note that MCIS does not keep training records for more than five years. Therefore, please get your certificate as soon as you complete the course and/or other specific requirements.

Please allow 48 hours to get a reply to your inquiries. Exceptions are long weekends and statutory holidays.

No, our training programs do not lead to professional certification like ATIO. ATIO is the professional association that aims to standardize the quality of translation work – they advocate for the use of professional linguists, through their certification exam and professional standards.

What our programs aim to do is provide language professionals who are already in the field, with formal training in interpretation and translation and best practices so that they can be successful in professional examinations. For those who are just entering the field, this is their starting point to build up their experience and portfolio.

There is a lot of confusion among some language professionals, language service providers, and consumers of language services about these frequently used designations.

A trained interpreter/translator is a person who has completed a core competency training program in interpretation or translation.

A qualified interpreter/translator  is a person who has the language skills necessary to provide interpretation or translation. They may have undergone training in interpretation/translation or acquired skills in those fields through experience or a combination of training and experience.

A professional interpreter/translator is a language professional who has the necessary skills to provide interpretation/translation that they acquired through training and experience and who is expected to adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct of the interpretation or translation field in a manner that upholds the integrity of their profession.

A certified Interpreter/translator is an interpreter/translator who has passed a certification exam from the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC). In order to be admitted to the certification exam, a candidate must demonstrate an appropriate level of linguistic education and/or extensive interpretation or translation experience. Certification is typically granted by a provincial professional association which is a CTTIC member, such as the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO), Society of Translators and Interpreters of British Columbia (STIBC), etc. Certified interpreters/translators can work in various settings, including legal, medical, and educational contexts.

The term “accredited” is mostly applicable to interpreters. An accredited interpreter is one who has undergone the screening, testing and selection process of a particular organization. This is a language professional who is accredited by a specific organization or agency to work in a particular field or setting. For example, you can get accreditation from Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) and become an IRB-accredited interpreter. This means that you are approved by IRB to perform services specific to IRB settings. This accreditation does not authorize you to work in another interpretation setting for a different organization.

Upon completion of the training and/or testing, you will not be included automatically in the MCIS roster as an interpreter or a translator. If you wish to work with MCIS, you will have to apply online at: https://www.mcislanguages.com/careers/freelancer/

MCIS is a recognized institution that provides core and continued competence interpreter and translator training programs.

Completion of MCIS interpreter training program (OLIT) together with passing a language skills assessment test (ILSAT/CILISAT) makes an interpreter qualified to work in the field.

Our core translator program (OTTP) will provide you with skills and tools to start your translation career or to get a formal education in the field of translation if you already work as a translator.

MCIS also offers a pool of advanced and continued competence training programs for interpreters and translators that can be used either for further professional development or to be recognized as professional development units (PDUs) for membership at various interpreter or translator associations.

Upon completion of any MCIS course, you will be awarded a certificate of training completion which confirms that you have completed the course.

If you are looking to work with agencies or organizations for interpretation and translation, they look for experience in the field and proof of training completion.

Upon completion of any MCIS course, you will receive a certificate of completion that proves you have completed the program. At this time, we cannot guarantee that other organizations will recognize MCIS courses or, if recognized, to what extent. The exception is our core interpreter training program (OLIT) which is provincially recognized. Completion of this program together with passing a language skills assessment test (ILSAT/CILISAT) will make you a professional interpreter qualified to work in the field.