The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms the candidate's ability to manage the physical setting and communication dynamics of discourses in complex settings. This includes:

anticipating the need to manage participants and communication flow in a complex discourse setting

using discourse management strategies to maximise communication flow in a range of complex situations and to maximise communication flow

supporting parties to understand the interpreting process

managing challenging situations, participants and personal responses in a respectful and professional manner

applying a range of effective discourse management strategies and techniques

managing communication problems with technology

complying with professional standards and codes

reflecting on practice and using opportunities to improve practice

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this unit of competency will make use of scenarios, case studies, experiences and, where possible, examples of interactions with colleagues and clients which illustrate a range of skills and strategies for managing discourses in complex settings.

Resources for assessment include:

a range of formal structured meetings with high client accountability (legal, commercial, diplomatic, government, professional services) for outcomes

a range of meetings that require specialised and technical terminology and complex conceptual matters, including formal protocols and prescriptive procedures

settings that allow a range of capacity to influence meeting processes and communication flow

meetings that include parties with a range of experience with interpreting and its protocols and conventions

observations and questioning of candidates interpreting in meetings that require a range of communication and presentation techniques to address complex participant dynamics.

examples of professional development strategies to improve process

Evidence for assessment should be gathered to demonstrate a range of experiences in managing discourses in complex settings. Evidence may include examples of negotiations with client and participant expectations, using the resources of professional associations or employers, and should also include evidence of decision making where there are high levels of risk in ethical, business and professional issues influencing decisions.

Required skills

communication skills to:

identify and plan for complex assignment requirements

commence discourses in complex settings according to established protocols

manage communication flow in a confident, sensitive and effective manner

discourse management skills to:

accommodate communication styles and preferences in complex discourses

analyse discourse settings and communication preferences, and adapt style accordingly

initiative and enterprise skills to adapt to new, varied and volatile assignment situations

interpersonal skills to:

interact with people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of communication needs

manage a diverse range of participants while remaining assertive and culturally sensitive

confirm assignment requirements and difficulties with clients and colleagues

seek assistance from clients, specialist advisors and peers

language skills to achieve competent performance in a complex and demanding setting

literacy skills to prepare required background material and resources

organisational skills to identify and prepare work environment

problem-solving skills to:

assess barriers to effective communication in complex settings and devise solutions

change conditions to enhance message transfer and interpreter comfort and safety

maintain effective communication flow in challenging situations

vary style and language structure to suit a range of participants and situations

self-management skills to:

apply code of conduct and legislative requirements to work processes

deflect pressure from other parties to perform duties other than interpreting

behave appropriately in all situations, including emergency situations or those with time pressures

identify personal and professional limitations in managing discourse

seek debriefing and support where required

technology skills to use a range of technical and electronic equipment, where necessary

Required knowledge

communication techniques that facilitate communication flow and discourse management

culture-specific knowledge to:

manage communication flow with diverse discourse participants

work with people with a disability and special communication needs

feedback and debriefing techniques

relevant codes of ethics and professional conduct

legal requirements, professional procedures and guidelines, ethical practices and business standards relating to assignment,

limitations of work role, responsibility and professional abilities

modes of interpreting and their appropriateness and implications for complex settings

nature and structure of complex interpersonal, institutional and meeting dynamics

OHS and risk management practices and procedures relevant to nature of assignments

professional support networks, including peer help groups and mentors

research methods

source and target languages to achieve competent performance in complex settings

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Requirements may include:

discourse participants and languages spoken

discourse location or environment

discourse type, such as:

court sessions and cross-examinations

institutional settings

professional consultations

official interviews such as:

police

immigration

security

Centrelink

government

personnel present

required equipment and resources

work conditions, such as:

continuous hours to be worked

need for tandem team or relay interpreting

required breaks

timing of discourse

Planning may include:

purpose

context and subject

expectations and intended or desired outcomes

culturally appropriate behaviour and presentation

target language delivery

risk management considerations

sources of information

interpreting strategies appropriate to discourse

safety requirements for interpreter

Arranging work environment may include:

clear lines of sight

adequate lighting and ventilation

acceptable noise levels

visual access

comfort and safety

participant positioning appropriate to:

cultural and religious backgrounds

recording of assignment

party movements and dynamics

setting

participants with disabilities or special needs

Resources may include:

background information

forms or paperwork

reference material, including dictionaries and glossaries

tools and equipment, such as stationery and batteries

supporting documentation to assist message transfer, such as maps and photographs

Factors that may compromise interpreter effectiveness may include:

faulty audio or video equipment

impeded lines of sight

inadequate lighting and ventilation

persons other than participants present (e.g. family or observers)

visual access and ambient noise

Adjustments may include:

addressing OHS concerns

adjusting position and environment in regard to listener or speaker as changing circumstances require

positioning self in a culturally appropriate manner

maximising access to hands-free telephone

remaining unobtrusive when not required to interpret

Relationships between participants may include:

details of discourse, such as:

first time meeting or one in a series of meetings

government service provider with public client

service provider with private client

interests in relation to purpose of discourse

personal details of participants, including religious and ethnic backgrounds and family connection

Protocols to commence discourse may include:

effecting introductions

briefing participants

explaining purpose, process and recording requirements

confirming confidentiality of information, if appropriate to discourse

requesting participant details, such as names and titles

Attributes may include:

attitudes to such things as authority, disclosure or conflict

speaking or signing style and expression, including 'Australianised' language other than English (LOTE)

educational level

intellectual and physical capabilities

language dialect

language proficiency, including pronunciation and vocabulary.

Communication style may include:

language version or dialect

register

idiosyncratic language use

need for relay interpreter

regular checking of understanding, particularly in Auslan and Indigenous dialogues

Factors affecting communication flow may include:

ethnic, political and religious affiliations or kinship

real or perceived direct or indirect conflicts of interest

stressful or confrontational situations

interpreter attributes:

demeanour or appearance

familiarity with specific procedures

performance stress

personal beliefs, feelings and customs

task being beyond competence

Equipment and technology may include:

communication equipment and media technology, such as:

microphone and recording equipment

remote interaction

telephone or video link

wireless headset

Strategies to address cross-cultural communication challenges may include:

adjusting register

impartial interpreting of indicators of misunderstanding

explaining exchanges between interpreter and individual parties

selecting appropriate moment and method to communicate challenges

need for relay interpreter

cross-cultural bridging

Challenging situations may include:

attempts to manipulate or influence interpreter

cross-cultural communication challenges, relating to:

culture-specific attitudes and behaviour

cultural conflicts, such as Aboriginal country boundaries

different communication styles and preferences

challenging characteristics of participants, such as:

physical or intellectual disability

emotional or psychological state

lack of cooperation and resistance to process

discourse setting, including:

confined space

physical barriers to sight or sound

diverse expectations of participants

local variations in pronunciation, expression and vocabulary

idiosyncratic language use

type of discourse, such as:

emotionally charged discourses in accidents or emergencies

conflict between participants

Appropriate persons may include:

chair of meeting

discourse participant in authority

booking agency

interpreting team colleague

mentoring interpreter