The Linguist is a languages magazine for professional linguists, translators, interpreters, language professionals, language teachers, trainers, students and academics with articles on translation, interpreting, business, government, technology
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Christine Pocock FCIL After a career in the import/export sector in both England and Germany, Christine Pocock went on to set up a multi- faceted language service for business, specialising in the German market. She joined the Institute in 1993, became a Fellow in 1998, a member of Council in 2008 and is now Vice-Chair. When I first joined the Institute, I knew only one member and was advised that the best way to learn more was through the divisional events, so I joined the Translating, Interpreting and the Business and Commerce (now Business, Professions and Government) divisions. The networking with fellow linguists was both stimulating and helpful, and as I grew in confidence and experience, I thought I might also have something to offer. Since then, I have thoroughly enjoyed contributing to the work of the committees of the Translating and Interpreting divisions and their many events, and I have learned a great deal in the process. During the 1990s, more and more members began working electronically as freelancers and needed a substitute for their previous in-house colleagues, so I became involved with a small group of volunteer members who, over the years, have developed the TransNet and InterpNet language support networks. I have been very grateful for these in my own work and I do hope other members continue to benefit from them. I joined Council and sat on a variety of its committees before being elected as Vice-Chair in March 2012. My previous close involvement with the Institute and business background have enabled me to play an effective and pro-active role. Keen to see greater transparency in the Institute's work, I very much welcomed the reintroduction of Council News in The Linguist and the CIOL's new database, which has enabled direct desktop communication with members. I would also like to see the CIOL continuing to raise its profile by forging wider links with the outside world. Vol/53 No/2 2014 APRIL/MAY The Linguist 31 INSTITUTE MATTERS My arrival at the Institute in March 2008 coincided with the busiest time of the year: the build up to the DPSI (Diploma in Public Service Interpreting) examinations. I was joined by a new Examiner Assistant and two new Examination Consultants (ECs), which meant a very steep learning curve as we all got to grips with our unfamiliar roles. Thankfully, I emerged from this 'sink or swim' situation unscathed and quickly settled into my role as Examiner Manager, absorbing the enormous amount of information needed to do all the tasks involved. Now I am approaching my seventh year of examination sessions, starting with the Certificate in Bilingual Skills (CBS) Police in March and concluding with the DPSI in June. My role includes having responsibility for the recruitment, training and appointment of Assessors (Examiners and Interlocutors) for the oral examinations of the IoL Educational Trust (IoLET). I also manage the Trust's eight ECs, who are based throughout the UK and Ireland and perform an essential role by maintaining an IoLET presence in their designated regions, dealing with inquiries from examination centres and Assessors, and promoting the activities of the Institute. The Examiner Department has undergone a number of progressive changes over the years. Important modifications and improvements have been made to the Assessor training programme, with greater emphasis being placed on practical exercises and marking assessments. Over the last 18 months, we have taken even greater strides towards streamlining processes and improving the way we operate. Communications are now sent to Assessors by email, ensuring a more cost effective, faster and efficient response. Last year we introduced digital recorders, alongside conventional cassette players, for recording oral examinations at the London Open Centre. From this year, digital recording will become the method of choice, with cassettes as back up, before we go completely digital in 2015. All IoLET Assessors are provided with the tools they need to carry out their role to the highest standard, including comprehensive practical training, information guides, training DVDs and constructive feedback about their performance annually. The ongoing enthusiasm and dedication of Assessors and ECs ensures the smooth running of the examinations year on year. As a department, we will continue to review our processes and procedures, maintaining and improving our overall standards and ensuring that the examination experience we provide is a positive one for everyone involved: centres, candidates, ECs and Assessors. A positive experience EXAMINER MANAGER DARYL LUCAS EXPLAINS HIS ROLE A list of Council members appears on page 3. For further details about CIOL committees and governance, see the 'About us' section at www.iol.org.uk. Who's on Council? FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MEMBERS OF THE INSTITUTE'S GOVERNING BODY