Service under the Spotlight: Scheduled Video Interpreting
Each month, we get you better acquainted with a TLS service; when and why you might need it, how to book it and how to make the most of the booking.
You may be new to the world of booking language support, or perhaps you book the same service each time because you don’t know what else is out there, or perhaps you have never considered that something different might work for you – this is for you!
It is for you if:
you need the flexibility of having the conversation with your service user in any location, eg working from home, or you and your service user are not geographically close.
It is not for you if:
you need to build trust or rapport with your service user and interpreter – in sensitive situations, eg a mental health appointment, it is usually better to talk in person.
When it works best:
scheduled video interpreting is best for relatively uncomplicated and uncontroversial conversations with people who are comfortable using screens to communicate.
Tips to get the most from your booking:
- Use our dedicated booking portal, to find and book your interpreter. This makes everything easy and quick. Once you know how to use it, you will be able to book a remote interpreter anywhere you have access to a computer.
- Make sure you’re familiar with the technology you’ll be using in the booking – how to share your screen, how to mute yourself, how to make sure there’s nothing confidential on show.
- Set parameters at the start of the booking. Most of us know how to behave in face to face situations, but remote meetings are still something of an unknown. Tell everyone how to interrupt politely, how to take turns, when to mute themselves.
If you would like to know more, call our bookings team for guidance and support on 0808 175 1230.
Service under the Spotlight: Face-to-face Interpreting
Each month, we get you better acquainted with a TLS service; when and why you might need it, how to book it and how to make the most of the booking.
You may be new to the world of booking language support, or perhaps you book the same service each time because you don’t know what else is out there, or perhaps you have never considered that something different might work for you – this is for you!
In this issue, we are looking at our face-to-face Interpreting. This is booked via our bespoke booking portal.
It is for you if:
You need to communicate for a prolonged time about something fairly complex.
It is not for you if:
You are in a hurry or making a last minute booking and just want to get quick and basic facts from a situation.
When it works best:
Face-to-face interpreting can be especially useful for establishing trust with a service user, particularly one you know you will see on more than one occasion.
Tips to get the most from your booking:
- Share all the details you can before the booking takes place; eg what you want from the meeting/appointment, any problems that may arise
- At the beginning of the booking, introduce everyone and, if it’s the first time your service user is meeting the interpreter, ensure that they understand the interpreter is there to convey what you are saying and not provide advice or emotional support
- Speak clearly and avoid jargon, and pause regularly to allow the interpreter to speak to your service user.
If you would like to know more, call our bookings team for guidance and support on 0808 175 1230.
Service under the Spotlight: On Demand Telephone Interpreting
Each month, we will be getting better acquainted with a TLS service; when and why you might need it, how to book it and how to make the most of the booking.
You may be new to the world of booking language support, or perhaps you book the same service each time because you don’t know what else is out there, or perhaps you have never considered that something different might work for you – this is for you!
In this issue, we are looking at our On Demand Telephone Interpreting. This is arranged by calling up our designated ODTI line and we will connect you by phone to an interpreter at any time of day, with no notice needed.
It is for you if:
You need an interpreter at short notice.
It is not for you if:
You need an interpreter for a more sensitive or complex subject, where body language, visual cues or establishing trust may be important.
When it works best:
As participants in the conversation cannot see each other, this kind of interpreting works best for simple and brief interactions, eg a ten minute GP appointment for a minor illness.
Tips to get the most from your booking:
- To make sure everyone can be heard well, try to choose a location that is quiet and use a landline rather than a mobile where possible
- Introductions are even more important when participants cannot see each other; ensure you do a thorough introduction at the outset of the call. If it is not obvious who is speaking, you may want each speaker to identify themselves every time they speak
- A smile can be heard in your voice. Smiling when you talk can help to put your service user at ease with what is probably an unfamiliar situation.
If you would like to know more or make an on demand telephone booking, call our bookings team for guidance and support on 0808 175 1230.
Rare language fact file: Adamorobe Sign Language
Native to: Adamorobe village, Ghana
Number of native speakers: 35
Spoken by: Adamorobe villagers
Learn some: You can learn how to sign the days of the week with this YouTube video.
Interesting facts:
- Adamorobe has a much higher incidence of deafness than the rest of Ghana. This stands now at roughly 2% of the population (compared to 0.4% in the continent of Africa as a whole), but in the past at a much higher percentage – some sources giving it as high as 25%. Researchers have identified a mutated gene that is responsible for this, which has been passed down through generations.
- The village developed its own sign language, which is completely distinct from the official Ghanaian Sign Language. In order for Adamorobe’s deaf population to be fully integrated into village life, everyone, hearing or deaf, uses Adamorobe Sign Language.
- As with all minority languages, Adamorobe Sign Language is now under threat from more dominant ones. Deaf children in the village are now sent to school at Ghana’s boarding school for the deaf, where they learn the official Ghanaian Sign Language, alongside written English.
The Language Shop provides support in any language you may need, including many of the rarer ones. Please speak to your account manager about your requirements.
Are you getting the most from your bookings? Don’t miss our free training
Due to the success of our previous free 'Introduction to TLS Services' virtual training sessions, we are now offering them regularly, on the last Wednesday of every month throughout 2022.
The training explains all the various types of interpreting available, and which services are best suited to different contexts. We will look in detail at how and when to book an interpreter, the best practice for working alongside interpreters and provide an opportunity to ask any questions with a member of our team. Participants can also get a certificate of attendance once they have completed the training along with a TLS Training Information Pack.
The virtual training takes just half an hour and you can sign up via our Eventbrite here.
If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Kershaw by emailing nicole.kershaw@newham.gov.uk
Keep up to date with all our latest news here and on social media – we are on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
The Language Shop provides interpreting services for Covid-19 vaccination centres
Back in February TLS launched a scheme to support vaccination centres within the North East London Foundation Trust area, We provided telephone and video interpreting services to bridge the communication gap so that non-English speakers could understand all of the information regarding Covid-19 vaccinations and give their informed consent to receive the jab.
We expanded this by adding British Sign Language (BSL) support to our offering in May. This allowed deaf patients receiving vaccines at centres in Chingford, Romford and Barking access to a remote BSL interpreter who could answer any questions or concerns they may have. As time is critical when vaccinating so many people, we ensured deaf patients received this support within 90 seconds of making the request.
We are proud to be able to play a part in helping the vaccination programme by making vaccine information more accessible, so that everyone can help keep themselves and each other safe during the pandemic.
Keep up to date with all our latest news here and on social media – we are on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
