Qualification News

Here are examples of recognised public service interpreting qualifications which allow entry to the National Register.

DPSI LANGUAGES 2009

Albanian
Amharic
Armenian (Eastern and Western) *
Arabic (MSA) (& North African (Maghreb) Oral/Written MSA for re-sits only) *
Bengali (& Oral Sylheti/Written Bengali) *
Bulgarian
Cantonese (Traditional or Simplified script) *
Croatian
Czech
Dari
Dutch
Estonian
Farsi
French
German
Greek
Gujarati
Hindi
Hungarian
Italian
Jamaican
Japanese
Kurdish (Sorani)

Latvian
Lithuanian
Macedonian
Mandarin (Traditional or Simplified script) *
Panjabi (Indian)
Panjabi (Pakistani): Oral Panjabi/Written Urdu
Pashto
Polish
Portuguese (European or Brazilian) *
Romanian
Russian
Serbian (in Cyrillic script)
Slovak
Slovene
Somali
Spanish
Swahili
Tamil
Tigrinya
Thai
Turkish
Ukrainian
Urdu (& Oral Mirpuri/Written Urdu) *
Vietnamese

* Candidates need to specify which language variation they want to enter for

If the Institute is unable to locate adequately qualified examiners to carry out the examination in any of the above languages, it reserves the right to withdraw the examination. In such cases candidates’ fees will be refunded but the Institute will not be liable for any additional expenditure candidates may have incurred.

The setting of an exam paper in a particular language may be subject to a minimum number of candidates. Alternatively, a scale of fees may apply.
 

The Metropolitan Police Test

The Test assesses interpretation and translation skills. All components must be attempted at the first session, though candidates can re-sit any components they fail without having to do the entire test again.

The Oral Test comprises of: Consecutive Interpreting, Consecutive interpreting of a Statement, Simultaneous Interpreting and Sight Translation.

The Written Test comprises of: Translation into English of the Statement and a Technical Translation.

The test will be offered in, March/April, July and November 2005. The closing date for applications for the test will be approximately 6 weeks prior to the assessment date. In addition, many languages can be assessed that might not be catered for by the DPSI. Language Service Ltd regularly run assessments in popular languages such as Albanian, Turkish, Kurdish Sorani and Polish, but other more rare languages can also be accommodated, such as Amharic, Hebrew and Shona. Candidates must check first to see if LSL can assess their particular language.

Candidates should make themselves as familiar as possible with police terminology before taking this test. Sample papers, transcripts and briefing sheets, which help candidates to understand exactly what is expected of them, are all available from Language Services Ltd. It is more often the case that candidates fail because they have not prepared themselves fully beforehand, rather than mistakes made on the day.

Successful candidates will have outstanding skills. However, though the standard is high, the Metropolitan Police Test is available to everybody regardless of qualifications or experience.

The Metropolitan Police Test is available in a wide range of languages, this includes rarer languages.

For further information on the Metropolitan Police Test including a registration pack please click here.
 

Certificate in Bilingual Skills (CBS)

The CBS is an 'A' level equivalent award that aims to establish a benchmark of competence at foundation level for those working or intending to work in the public services or voluntary sector where practical bilingual skills are a necessary attribute.

Many interpreters progress to the DPSI via the CBS. To find out more about the CBS examination visit the IoL website.