How may I register for the course?
You may register by completing our online registration form. A registration confirmation will be sent your email address.
What are the prerequisites for the Medical Interpreter Training (MIT) course?
- You need to be 18 years of age or older.
- You must have a High School diploma or equivalent.
- You must be fluently bilingual.
- You must be able to speak, read, and write in English and in the target language you speak.
- You will have to successfully pass the language assessment component with a grade of 75 or higher.
The test includes an evaluation of both written and oral proficiency in English and the target language.
What is the cost of the course?
| Registration: | $50.00 |
| Course Fee: | $900.00 |
| Total: | $950.00 |
(Please note: Course fees are subject to change)
Limited funding is available to only partially subsidize the costs of medical interpreter training for employees of medical, health and human services organizations that offer services to MassHealth members; we are no longer able to provide full subsidies. This funding is available after all other resources for education and training are exhausted. For those who qualify, tuition costs $400 plus the $50 registration fee.
We require a statement from the participants employer regarding the amount of support for the tuition ($950.00) you may be eligible to receive. These resources may include, for example:
- Your own organization tuition assistance program
- Union supported training funds
- Unemployment Fund/Workforce Training Funds Programs
- Any other in-kind/other resources you may want to use.
When & where will the course be held?
For information on training locations and class schedule, see our Course Calendar.
Is financial aid available?
Sorry, financial aid is not available. However, Language Link offers payment plans for qualified students. By entering a payment plan the student agrees to make minimum bi-weekly payments in the amount of $200. Each payment received is reduced from the overall tuition balance of $900. For more information on payments plans, click here.
What are the languages included in the MIT training course?
The languages included in the training course vary from one semester to the next. Language Link decides which languages to include in the course based on the total number of applicants and the language that each applicant represents.
In order to include a particular language in the MIT training course, Language Link requires that a minimum of three applicants within the same language pool pass the Language Assessment Exam taken during orientation. If at least three applicants within the same language pool pass the exam, their language will be represented in the training.
For example: Language Link may not include the “French” language in the training course if only two participants that speak French register and pass the exam. Language Link requires a minimum of three such participants to pass the exam in order to include the French language in the MIT training.
Is there a registration deadline?
Yes, registration deadlines are typically scheduled two weeks prior to beginning of the semester. Please refer to the Calendar for course schedules.
What should I expect on Orientation Day?
Language Link administers a Language Assessment exam to all attendees during orientation. Participants must pass the exam with a score of 75 or higher in order to be eligible for enrollment.
What kind of exam will be administered to registered participants?
ENTRANCE EXAM
The Language Assessment exam is made up of two components, a written component and an oral component. The exam covers medical terms that are used in Anatomy & Physiology.
During the ‘Written’ phase of the exam, students are asked to translate words and sentences from English to the target language and vice versa.
During the ‘Oral’ phase of the exam, students are asked to interpret whole sentences and paragraphs from English to the target language and vice versa.
The entire exam is a written exam and requires translation of medical terms. You will not find any of the following question types on the exam:
- NO MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
- NO TRUE OR FALSE QUESTIONS
(A digital recording device will be used to record the participants answers during the oral phase of the exam.)
How long does the course last?
The Medical Interpreter Training course has a total accumulation of 60-hours of classroom time. The length of time for this course differs from one semester to the next. Some semesters include two training sessions per week while other semesters may only include a single training session per week.
Training sessions are normally held in the evening from 5:45 PM to 9:00 PM. The days of the week for these training sessions are not constant. Training sessions can be a combination of any two weekdays. Some semesters may also include a few weekend classes which are normally held on Saturdays.
Language Link will notify all registered applicants of available training dates as soon as the classroom schedule is complete and ready to be emailed. Applicants may also logon to our website for updates on the Medical Interpreter Training course and related content.
Will I need to buy a book for the course?
Although optional, we advise students to purchase a medical terminology text book. You may purchase the text book from Language Link, or purchase it through Amazon.com.
Title: The Language of Medicine (10th Edition)
Author: Davi-Ellen Chabner
Publisher: Saunders
Amount: New: $60
Used books sell for as low as $10.00, please check Amazon.com for used book prices.
How many absences are permitted during training?
Students are only allowed a single absence during the duration of the training. If a student incurs more than one absence, the student can attend a make-up sessions with the approval of the Program Director. A certificate is not awarded to the student until the student completes all missed classes.
Important! Please be aware that Language Link holds classes in different towns and cities within the state of Massachusetts; therefore, make-up sessions for missed classes may be held outside of Worcester, MA.
Does Language Link provide job placement after graduation?
No, Language Link does not currently provide this service.
Does Language Link provide internships for graduating students?
No, Language Link does not currently provide this service.
Are additional trainings or workshops available?
Yes, workshops are often available for continuing education in the field. Please refer to the Workshops page for more information.
COURSE & WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
View our schedule calendar of courses and workshops available.