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Become a better translator or interpreter: take a Training for Translators online course!

To keep up to date with the online course schedule, check back on this page or join the Training for Translators mailing list.

A past participant says: “After muddling along rudderless for many years (and earning a correspondingly mediocre income) I took my first class with Corinne McKay, “Beyond the Basics of Freelancing.” The content, homework, and collegial support provided the inspiration I needed to move my freelance business into higher gear, and the subsequent concrete increase to my income led me to enroll in other courses, including “Marketing to Direct Clients” and “Breaking into the Book Translation Market.” Fast-forward a couple of years: my more diversified portfolio of clients now provides me with steady, interesting work year-round and my income has more than doubled to reach six figures. These courses are a wise investment in yourself!”

Read more feedback from past students!

Upcoming instructor-led courses (scroll down for challenge groups and recorded master classes)

January master class: Interpreting for depositions, with Judy Jenner

Instructor: Judy Jenner, FCCI
Date/time: Friday, January 24, 12:30-2:30 PM US Eastern (New York) time. Recording provided to participants after the master class.
Cost: $75
Description: Join expert instructor Judy Jenner–who has interpreted at over 800 depositions–for a two-hour master class on the structure of depositions, the parties, the objectives, the terminology, and how to find work with law firms needing this service. Presented in English and open to interpreters in all languages.

February master class: Capitalization in German, with Dagmar Jenner

Instructor: Dagmar Jenner
Date/time: Friday, February 7, 12:30-2:00 PM US Eastern (New York) time. Recording provided to participants after the master class.
Cost: $75
Description: Join translator, interpreter, and German orthography coach Dagmar Jenner for a live master class on the rules for capitalization in German. Participants will complete a worksheet before the master class; the live class will involve a review of the worksheet, along with numerous examples of basic and advanced capitalization rules in German.

Copywriting: for your clients and for your business

Instructor: Madalena Sánchez Zampaulo
Next session: February 18-March 12, 2020
Cost: $365 until February 9; $380 thereafter if spots are still available.
Special offers: $15 discount for members of the American Translators Association; apply coupon code ATA at checkout. This can be combined with one of the following: $15 discount for anyone who has taken a Training for Translators class; apply coupon code ALUM at checkout. $10 discount for anyone who has never taken a Training for Translators class; apply coupon code NEW at checkout.
A past participant says: “A great opportunity to learn more about the most important aspects of copywriting and copywriting services/products. The course was lively and well-structured, and I really appreciated the personal attention and feedback. The knowledge I gained will definitely be helpful in improving my own marketing efforts and growing my business.”

Getting started as a freelance translator

Instructor: Corinne McKay, CT
Next session: March 30-April 30, 2020; no class during the week of April 20.
Cost: $365 until March 15; $380 thereafter if spots are still available.
Special offers: $15 discount for members of the American Translators Association; apply coupon code ATA at checkout. This can be combined with one of the following: $15 discount for anyone who has taken a Training for Translators class; apply coupon code ALUM at checkout. $10 discount for anyone who has never taken a Training for Translators class; apply coupon code NEW at checkout.
A past participant says: “The benefits of investing in Corinne’s training extend beyond the duration of a course. She is happy to provide her thoughts and advice on issues you may run into months or even years afterward. When you take one of her classes, you get not just a knowledgeable instructor but also a helpful colleague.”

Upcoming challenge groups

February challenge group: Supercharge your second-language skills

Instructor: Eve Bodeux
Date/time: February 3-28, 2020
Cost: $75, or join all three winter/spring 2020 challenge groups for $150
Description: Join Eve Bodeux, author of Maintaining Your Second Language, for 20 consecutive business days of challenges to maintain and improve your active skills in your second (third, fourth, etc.) language. We’ll use word games, speaking exercises, songs (even if you can’t carry a tune) and apps to boost your communication skills in your non-native language(s)

March challenge group: March Marketing Madness

Instructor: Corinne McKay
Date/time: March 2-27, 2020
Cost: $75, or join all three winter/spring 2020 challenge groups for $150
Description: Back by popular demand, March Marketing Madness will jolt you into action with 20 consecutive business days of marketing challenges, with a fun and supportive Slack group for accountability and idea-sharing. Join Corinne McKay, author of How to Succeed as a Freelance Translator, as we make marketing into a consistent and (hopefully!) less painful habit.

May challenge group: Tackling task management

Instructor: Dorothee Racette
Date/time: May 4-29, 2020
Cost: $75, or join all three winter/spring 2020 challenge groups for $150
Description: Is your to-do list so long that it feels daunting to look at? Do last-minute freelance assignments tend to throw off your schedule? You don’t need a longer list, you need a system! Join translator and productivity coach Dorothee Racette for a month of task management challenges, with a Slack group for accountability and support.

 

Pre-recorded master classes available for purchase

Proper use of commas in German, taught by Dagmar Jenner

Cost: $75. Links to worksheet and streaming video will appear in the Order Details section of your receipt.
Description: Join German orthography expert Dagmar Jenner for a 90-minute session on the proper use of commas in German, including both basic and advanced techniques.

Past participants say…

“At the start of this year I decided to invest in myself and take Corinne McKay’s course Beyond the Basics of Freelancing. The course was fantastic, full of lots of interesting materials and useful tips and tricks on how to move forward with our businesses. I was particularly struck with how generous Corinne is with her time and how she makes herself available on conference calls, inviting questions to answer and debating business issues with fellow translators. If you are wondering how to move up a gear in your business and take it to the next level, studying the BBF course is an excellent way to help you do that.” -Jason Willis-Lee, MITI

“The coaching group definitely gave me a strong incentive to work on marketing every day because of the built-in accountability. I miss the calls now!  Overall, I’m very glad I did it, and I don’t think I would ever have done this much work on my own!” -a participant in the advanced coaching and accountability group
“Neither in my undergraduate classes in education nor in some of the more practical classes I took as part of my MA in English (including the course connected to my assistantship as a writing consultant) did I ever experience one course that delivered as much precise and helpful information as Corinne’s course.”- a participant in “Getting Started as a Freelance Translator”

“This class offers a great overview of all the essential aspects of book translation and helped me narrow in on the best avenues to pursue based on my background and interests. One of the best parts of the class was the opportunity to get direct feedback from Corinne and to ask her so many questions.” -a participant in “Breaking Into the Book Translation Market”

“Simply put, this is one of the finest resources for any translator. No matter what your specialization is, I guarantee you will take something away from Corinne’s online course. For those just starting, it will instruct and guide. For veterans, it can remind and reaffirm. In either case, you’ll definitely enjoy the experience!”

“Corinne is a blessing to all of us translators that have not reached terminal velocity yet. She is very knowledgeable about all aspects of a freelance translator’s challenges and has great passion for helping her students. Her books are great, but her online course is even better, because you take a feeling of “I can do this!” from it. I had a big increase in income the year after I took Corinne’s course and I attribute a large portion of that success to Corinne. I could not think of a better way to give your freelancing career a big boost than taking her course. Very inspirational, very valuable information, great program all-round!”