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
Issue link: https://thelinguist.uberflip.com/i/458734
1 Completeness: submitting all the documentation together streamlines and speeds up the process for both applicant and Membership Department. 2 Read all the documents on the applications page (see www.ciol.org.uk > Chartered Linguist), notably the admissions criteria, FAQs and guidance for applicants. 3 Provide clear evidence of your qualifications, past and present experience and CPD to support your application: the guidance for applicants document provides information on how to present your evidence and how to write a good reflective statement on your CPD activities. Overall, applicants were satisfied with the admissions process and documentation, with the vast majority (82% and 88% respectively) finding it 'very easy' or 'quite easy' to understand the admissions criteria and complete the application form, and 94% finding the guidance documents 'very helpful' or 'quite helpful'. Around 73% of respondents found it 'very easy', 'quite easy' or 'neither easy nor difficult' to gather and submit their evidence. Suggestions for improvements were unfailingly constructive and many can be or have been implemented quickly and easily. Those with more significant implications in terms of staff time or budget, such as developing an online recording system for CPD, are being put to Council and senior staff. The primary reason for not applying at this time related to professional development (20.5% of responses), with respondents either not taking part in CPD and/or not recording their activities, or being reluctant to write a reflective statement. This was followed by 'lack of time to gather the evidence' (14.7%) and uncertainty over career benefits (10.7%). There were some particularly helpful responses to the question, 'What factors might influence your decision to apply in the next 12 months?'. Perhaps inevitably for busy linguists, the need for more spare time was a common thread. Vol/54 No/1 2015 FEATURES What makes a good application? easy they had found it to understand the admissions criteria, complete the paperwork and submit their evidence; and how helpful they had found the guidance documents. Two reasons for applying stood out: 'to support my career/business' (27%) and 'because I think the register will support the profession' (24%). These were followed by 'for personal satisfaction' (19%), 'so that I can use the designatory letters' (15%) and 'because I wanted recognition of my commitment to CPD' (14%). Future plans Redeveloping the applications criteria, rewriting the documentation and relaunching the CL register has taken considerable effort both from present and former staff, and from Council, but there is plenty more work to do. Three key priorities for the next year are extending the new scheme to members of our partner organisations; working on the format of the online register to make it more user-friendly; and promoting the register to users of language services in both the public and the private sectors. The last of these is clearly critical in establishing the Chartered Linguist register as a source of qualified, experienced practitioners with a proven commitment to CPD and, by extension, improving public recognition of all professional linguists. 2015 marks the tenth anniversary of the granting of the Institute's Royal Charter; with the support of our members, staff and volunteers, we can also make it the starting point for a successful register of Chartered Linguists. © SHUTTERSTOCK