Training for Translators

Classes for translators and interpreters

Classes for translators


Corinne McKay

A new look, and a special offer!

As you can see, Thoughts on Translation has a whole new look! After eight years of blogging and nearly 700 posts, I decided it was time to give the site a long-overdue update (huge thanks to my web designer Guy Greenbaum), and I’m very happy with the transition. All of the past content (including all of your comments!) is still here at the same URLs as always, and I look forward to many more years of lively discussions.

I’m particularly excited that the new site includes a home for my online courses, so that you can browse all of them in one place and register right there (instead of hopping back and forth from this site to my client-facing site and back again…). I currently have four classes open for registration (Getting Started as a Freelance Translator, Beyond the Basics of Freelancing, Marketing to Direct Clients and Breaking Into the Book Translation Market), and as a site launch special, you can use the coupon code 10Today to save 10% off any class (or classes!) if you register today, Friday June 24. Additionally, if you are an ATA member, enter coupon code ATA to receive the ATA member rate (you can enter both coupons if you’re an ATA member).

On the courses page, just click on the tile for any course to expand it and read the description and start dates. A student who just completed my Getting Started course commented “I truly enjoyed Corinne’s class for beginners in the business of freelance translation and especially appreciated her individual feedback. Her practical advice was invaluable and helped improve my confidence and clarify my goals. Getting Started as a Freelance Translator was well worth the investment, and I hope to take other classes with Corinne in the future.” I hope to see some of you in the summer and fall sessions!


Corinne McKay

Beyond the Basics of Freelancing: starts August 22

The next session of my online course Beyond the Basics of Freelancing starts August 22 and is filling up. This is a four-week, fully online course for experienced translators who want to earn more money, work with high-quality agencies and direct clients, develop better marketing materials and enjoy their work more. A past student in this class commented:

I took a four-week online course called Beyond the Basics of Freelancing, developed and taught by Corinne. Though I was more or less satisfied with my business, it had plateaued and I wasn’t sure how to up my game. Corinne’s class was exactly what I needed. She asked questions that forced me to focus on the most important aspects of my business and acted as a sounding board for marketing ideas. I especially appreciated that the class included ample opportunity to ask specific questions about nearly anything. I learned a great deal from Corinne and from the other students and came away from the class with a concrete plan and timeline for the next 6-12 months to take my business to the next level.

Registration is $355 ($340 for ATA members) and includes 12 video lessons, eight live question and answer sessions, 20 daily tasks, individual feedback from me on four assignments, and a private Google Group for participants in the class. If you’d like to join the August session, visit my website to fill out the application form.


Corinne McKay

Summer-fall online courses: open for registration

My summer-fall online courses are now open for registration on my website. All of the recent sessions of these classes have filled up with a waiting list; so it’s not too early to sign up, even if the class you’re interested in is a few months in the future.

I currently offer four online courses; each runs for four weeks and includes four sets of video lessons, individual feedback on four assignments, four sets of weekly readings and podcasts, eight live question and answer sessions and a private Google Group for class participants. Registration is $355, with a $15 discount for ATA members. You can choose from:

Following are some comments from participants in recent sessions of these classes. Thanks and I hope to see some of you there!

“Exactly what I was looking for. Corinne will answer pretty much any question one might ask. Her feedback is thorough and very perceptive. It’s not just “good job” but why something is good and why something is not, and what you can do to improve it. I also loved the flexibility of the class, as I ended up having two very busy weeks during that time. Everything is recorded and, even if it is advisable to do everything according to schedule, you can go at your own pace. I now have a notebook filled with useful notes, objectives pinned on my wall and a strategy to attract direct clients I am now confident in.”

“One always learns from Corinne’s experience. She’s an outstanding instructor because she empowers her students so that they can approach their freelance business more effectively while feeling more confident. Corinne’s courses are a must for translators/language professionals/freelancers. I’d take one of her courses every year.”

“I found the course to be extremely helpful, both through the wealth of information conveyed and Corinne’s positivity. At the end of the course, I now have the confidence and knowledge to market to direct clients.”

“I don’t know why I waited so long to take this course. Corinne’s experience and feedback have proven to be an invaluable tool for my freelance career and I would recommend it to anyone, not only to those who are just starting, but also those of you who have been in this for a little while, but want to become more focused and effective in the way you run your business.”

“I learned so much about the translation industry and general business practices and the personal feedback from Corinne was absolutely priceless. I would highly recommend this course and I will take another class from Corinne in the future.”

“I am very pleased to have taken Corinne’s “Getting Started as a Freelance Translator” course. It was a real eye-opener. The course was very well organized, pretty much every aspect of the business was dealt with adequately, Corinne’s homework corrections were very helpful and the conference calls were also quite informative. I know I can do this now! Thank you so much for everything.”


Corinne McKay

Getting Started as a Freelance Translator- two spots left!

The May session of this class is now full; you can sign up for the November session on my website.

The next session of my online course Getting Started as a Freelance Translator starts next Monday (May 16) and I have two spots left in the group. This is a four-week session for translators in any language combination who want to launch and run a successful freelance business. The registration fee ($355; $340 for ATA members) includes:

  • Four sets of weekly slide shows with audio tracks
  • Eight live question and answer sessions (recordings provided afterward)
  • Individual feedback from me on your resume and cover letter
  • A private Google Group where you can interact with the other participants

The core topics in this course are: your translation-targeted resume and cover letter, marketing plan, rates and billable hours calculations, and your online presence. A participant in the November session of this class commented that:

I don’t know why I waited so long to take this course. Corinne’s experience and feedback have proven to be an invaluable tool for my freelance career and I would recommend it to anyone, not only to those who are just starting, but also those of you who have been in this for a little while, but want to become more focused and effective in the way you run your business.

Please visit my website to learn more about this class, or to apply to join the session that starts next week.


Corinne McKay

Getting Started as a Freelance Translator- starts May 16

The next session of my online course Getting Started as a Freelance Translator starts on May 16, and it’s the final course in my winter/spring series. The two other winter/spring classes have filled up and had a waiting list, so please sign up soon if you’d like to participate in this session. The summer/fall sessions of my other courses (Beyond the Basics of Freelancing and Marketing to Direct Clients) are also open for registration, and stay tuned for the fall session of my new class, Breaking Into the Book Translation Market.

Getting Started is a four-week class for students with little to no translation experience, who want to launch and run a successful freelance business. It’s open to translators in any language combination, and the registration fee is $355 ($340 for ATA members). This includes:

  • Four sets of video lessons (one set per week) to watch at your own pace
  • Twenty “tasks of the day” to complete; I’ll give you individual feedback on your resume, cover e-mail/letter, marketing plan and billable hours/rates calculations
  • Eight live question and answer sessions (two per week) with recordings provided if you can’t or don’t want to attend
  • A private Google Group for class discussions

Here’s a comment from a participant in my recent “Beyond the Basics of Freelancing” class: Corinne goes above and beyond the call of duty, forever attentive to the needs of her students. Using her vast experience, she provides real insight into the workings of the profession and her course enables you to garner real gems of information as to how to proceed in your career. Best of all, she encourages you to be proactive, take control and assume full responsibility for your success.

Hope to see some of you in the May session of Getting Started!