Preparing for Practicum

These questions are designed to help students clarify expectations, understand mentorship style, gauge professional fit, and set up a successful practicum experience.  We highly encourage students to request an observation with potential mentors and schedule a debrief to discuss the observation as well as the possibility of mentoring.  Please refer to the Observation of Professional Interpreters Guide to support you in the observation process.

🗣️ Getting to Know the Mentor

1. Can you tell me about your background in interpreting (education, experience, settings you’ve worked in)?
   
   

2. What inspired you to become a professional interpreter?
   
   

3. How long have you been supervising or mentoring interpreting students?
   
   

4. What do you enjoy most (and least) about your work as an interpreter?
   
   

5. Have you mentored students before? If so, what has worked well?
   (These help students understand the mentor’s experiences and values.)

📌 Expectations & Structure

6. What are your expectations for a practicum student (roles, duties, professionalism)?
   
   

7. How often would you like to meet, and what format works best (in-person, virtual)?
   
   

8. Are there particular interpreting settings or assignments you envision me participating in?
   
   

9. What strategies do you use to give feedback? How often will I receive structured feedback?
   
   

10. Do you have specific goals you’d like your practicum students to achieve?
    (These clarify what supervision will look like and help align expectations.)

📘 Learning & Development

11. What kinds of interpreting skills or techniques do you think are most important at this stage?
    
    

12. How do you support student growth—e.g., observing, co-interpreting, debriefing?
    
    

13. Are there any resources (articles, books, videos) you recommend I read/watch before or during practicum?
    
    

14. What common challenges have prior students faced, and how did you help them work through those?
    
    

15. Are there opportunities to observe other interpreters or community settings?

🧠 Feedback & Communication

16. What’s your preferred method for communication if I have questions between meetings?
    
    

17. How do you structure feedback—is it written, verbal, scheduled at a specific time?
    
    

18. How do you help students reflect on their interpreting decisions and ethical choices?
    
    

19. Would you be open to setting specific goals together at the start of the practicum?
    
    

20. How do you approach challenging interpreting assignments or stressful scenarios when mentoring?
    (Knowing feedback style and communication preferences sets students up for success.)

👥 Professional & Ethical Context

21. What professional organizations or continuing education events do you find valuable?
    
    

22. How do you stay current with interpreting trends, best practices, or new research?
    
    

23. Are there specific ethical situations you think are important for students to experience or discuss?
    
    

24. How do you help students integrate the RID/NIC ethical standards into real-world practice?
    
    

25. What advice would you give a student preparing for career entry after practicum?

🎯 Logistics & Support

26. What are typical weekly practicum hours and on-site expectations?
    
    

27. Are there any scheduling commitments outside of interpreting (prep, reflection sessions)?
    
    

28. Who else will I be working with—other interpreters, staff, or Deaf community members?
    
    

29. Is there a formal evaluation process at the end of the practicum? What does it look like?
    
    

30. Do you have any suggestions for how students can prepare before practicum begins?

📈 Personal Fit & Reflection

31. What kind of learning style or personality do you think thrives in your mentorship environment?
    
    

32. How do you support students who feel nervous or unsure early in the practicum?
    
    

33. What qualities do you value most in someone you mentor?
    
    

34. What have you noticed that distinguishes students who succeed in practicum?
    
    

35. If you could give your past practicum self one piece of advice, what would it be?
    (These help students reflect on fit and growth potential.)

✅ Closing & Next Steps

36. Based on what we’ve discussed, what would a typical first week look like?
    
    

37. Are there specific materials you’d like me to bring to our next meeting (calendar, goals list, video)?
    
    

38. Can we agree on a regular check-in schedule?
    
    

39. Is there anything I should prepare before I start interpreting under supervision?
    
    

40. Do you have questions for me about my goals or experiences?
    
    

💡 Tips for Students Before the Meeting

• Review the contents of this website expectations and NTID/BSI program goals so questions feel relevant and specific.
  
  

• Bring a notebook to record key points and agreed-upon expectations.
  
  

• Aim for a conversational tone—this meeting is about fit, not a test.

Practicum & Seminar I

Prerequisites

To enroll in Practicum & Seminar I, you must:

• Obtain department permission

• Hold a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher

• Complete the following courses with a grade of C or better:

  • INTP-315 Practical and Ethical Applications

  • INTP-335 Interpreting II: English to ASL

  • INTP-336 Interpreting II: ASL to English

Site-Specific Requirements

Some practicum sites require additional documentation before placement begins. Depending on the setting, you may need to provide:

• Proof of health insurance

• Proof of vaccination(s)

• A background check

Once you have been assigned a practicum mentor, communicate directly with them and the Practicum Coordinator to confirm that all site requirements are completed before the practicum start date.

Transportation

To ensure a well-rounded practicum experience, students are expected to diversify their interpreting and observation hours across multiple settings when possible.

Reliable transportation is required to meet these expectations. This may include:

• Access to a personal vehicle

• Use of public transportation

• A consistent and dependable ride arrangement

To enroll in Seminar II, you must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better and have completed the following courses with a grade of C or better:

INTP-350 Practicum & Seminar I

INTP-435 English-ASL III

INTP-436 ASL-English III 

Prerequisites

To enroll in Practicum II, you must obtain department permission, have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better, and have completed the following courses with a grade of C or better:

INTP-350 Practicum & Seminar I

INTP-435 English-ASL III

INTP-436 ASL-English III

Site-Specific Requirements

Depending on the placement setting, you may be required to provide proof of health insurance, proof of vaccination, or complete a background check. Once you are assigned your practicum mentor, please communicate with them along with the Practicum Coordinator to ensure you have fulfilled all of the necessary site requirements prior to the start of the practicum experience.

Transportation

In order to have a successful practicum experience, we recommend that you try to diversify your interpreting and observation hours. To facilitate this, you are required to have reliable transportation—such as owning a car, having access to public transportation, or arranging consistent rides—before starting your practicum.