General assessment Information

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.

Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128).

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

Late Submissions

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55 pm. A one-hour grace period is provided in case students experience technical difficulties.   

For example: 

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

Assessment Tasks

Midterm Examination

Assessment Type ¹: Examination

Indicative Time on Task ²: 1 hour

Due: Week 7

Weighting: 30%

Students are required to interpret one speech of approximately 15 to 20 minutes from LOTE (Language Other Than English) into English, equivalent to 2000 to 2500 English words using the simultaneous mode in the conference interpreting booth. An interpreting brief will be published through iLearn one week before the examination date. Individual performance will be marked with marking rubrics that are made available to students via iLearn at the beginning of the unit.

Upon successful completion, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate the enhanced skills required for simultaneous interpreting into English;
• Master coping strategies required for challenges inherent to simultaneous interpreting into English and manifested in different contexts;
• Demonstrate a systemic and on-going effort in building world knowledge needed for international, regional and inter-governmental and industry-related conferences;
• Critically analyse, evaluate and reflect on your simultaneous interpreting performance into English through individual, peer and group assessment;

Final Examination

Assessment Type ¹: Examination

Indicative Time on Task ²: 1 hour

Due: Week 14

Weighting: 50%

Students are required to interpret one speech of 20 minutes or slightly longer from LOTE (Language Other Than English) into English, equivalent to 2500 to 3000 words, using the simultaneous mode in the conference interpreting booth. An interpreting brief will be published through iLearn one week before the examination date. Individual performance will be marked with marking rubrics that are made available to students via iLearn at the beginning of the unit.

Upon successful completion, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate the enhanced skills required for simultaneous interpreting into English;
• Master coping strategies required for challenges inherent to simultaneous interpreting into English and manifested in different contexts;
• Demonstrate a systemic and on-going effort in building world knowledge needed for international, regional and inter-governmental and industry-related conferences;

In-class assessment

Assessment Type ¹: Participatory task

Indicative Time on Task ²: 36 hours

Due: Various due dates

Weighting: 20%

Students are strongly encouraged to attend all of the lectures and tutorials scheduled for the unit to acquire the necessary skills and strategies of simultaneous interpreting. Students will undertake simultaneous interpreting exercises with more complex and specialized speeches, and are encouraged to carry out self-assessment as well as peer assessment in and outside class. Both formative and summative feedback will be provided to students during class time.

Upon successful completion, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate the enhanced skills required for simultaneous interpreting into English;
• Master coping strategies required for challenges inherent to simultaneous interpreting into English and manifested in different contexts;
• Demonstrate a systemic and on-going effort in building world knowledge needed for international, regional and inter-governmental and industry-related conferences;
• Critically analyse, evaluate and reflect on your into English simultaneous interpreting performance through individual, peer and group assessment;
• Show a profound understanding of simultaneous interpreting as a life-long practice which requires rigorous and systematic effort on a regular basis.

¹ If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

• the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
• the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

² Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

Students enrolled in the unit are expected to engage in a range of learning activities. Classes in the Translation and Interpreting Program will be delivered in a blended mode. Students will cover weekly pre-recorded lectures made available on iLearn and will attend a tutorial/workshop where activities will allow them how to discuss and apply the concepts dealt with in the lecture to their translation and interpreting practice. Attendance and active participation in the tutorial/workshop are expected.

Recommended Readings: details to be published via Leganto, which is accessible via the iLearn site for this unit. 

Technology Used: Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. Students who do not own their own laptop computers can borrow one from the University Library. Given the practical nature of the unit, students are also advised to prepare a set of headphones for their personal use. More details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit. 

Attendance and active participation in all common workshops and language tutorials are expected.  

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone. 

In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses.

As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures), however you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session.

Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive at all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably delayed, please join class activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.