Review: SCCIOB - Diploma in Translation and Interpretation

Wanted to do this earlier but I have been sooo busy.

This diploma consists of 6 modules.

DTS01	语言学导论 Introduction to Linguistics
DTS02	英汉对比语言学 Comparative English and Chinese Linguistics
DTS03	英汉双向翻译的理论与实践 English-Chinese and Chinese-English Translation Theory and Practice
DTS04	基本文体翻译技能训练 Translation Skills for Different Genres
DTS05	英汉双向口译的理论与实践 English-Chinese and Chinese-English Interpretation Theory and Practice
DTS06	翻译综合能力培训 Integrated Translation Skills

DTS 1:

This module is the foundation for the rest of the modules, so it's pretty important. I like the male teacher who taught this module, because he's very structured in his way of teaching and it's easier to absorb the materials given. The homework given is not a lot when compared to NUS but I guess it's a given, since it's a part time diploma. The main bulk of the grade comes from the final exam but there is an assignment which is graded.



DTS 2:

This module is about comparing and contrasting the differences in the usage of English and Chinese, and also another foundation module (which means theory and more theory >.<)
It was taught by Xu Dong 老师，and IMO, I think she's very flexible in what she teaches, to put it nicely. Most of the time, my mind wanders off while she rambles on and on, (my bad), but beware! The exam is a horror! I was stunned by the difficulty of the exam, especially when it touches on the theory part. You will probably do well if you memorise all the theories and apply it in the exam.


DTS 3:

This module is like what it says, theory and practice. Really like this teacher, since he's kind of good-looking (sorry, biasness) and easy-going. Not to mention that I scored very well in this module. HAHA. For the theory part, it's just a repetition of what I have learnt in the previous 2 modules, so it was pretty easy. Practice part was harder, since we have to translate by paragraphs, instead of by sentences in the first 2 modules. Luckily, the exam wasn't too difficult, since it wasn't about technical stuff, but the general kind.

DTS 4:

Now we have come to the crazy part of the diploma. This module is basically, difficult. As it touches on different genres every week, I had a hard time trying to absorb all the materials. Frankly speaking, I think this module should have been split into a few instead of cramping everything together. The female teacher is not bad, just that she tends to talk a lot, and she has a very high pitch voice that pierce into my sleepy brain at night. But overall, this module is quite enlightening, and I learnt a lot in the module. For the exam, it was pretty general, as she did not request that we have to use any particular technique.

DTS 5:

Another horror. This is one module that we have to speak up a lot. Don't even have to write notes since it's more on talking and translating. It's just more practice. Exam is recorded in the computer, and we have limited time to think and interpret. But it boosted my confidence even though I doubt I can do it as a job anytime soon.

DTS 6:

This module was taught by Xu Dong, which was one of the reasons I remembered her name. HAHA. This module is also more practice, so there's nothing special about it. She revised the theories again, and it struck me that most of us can't remember the theories anymore. LOL. Exam format was about the same as the previous ones, where we have long essays to translate. Basically, you just translate and translate and translate, until your mind feels like exploding.

Overall:
Pros:
1.The learning experience was pretty good, and I did learnt a lot.
2. Got a diploma =)
3. Teachers are from China, and they are more experienced in Eng-Chi, so I got drilled on that.

Bad points are

1. The management was sucky. (as in SCCIOB)
2. The 6 modules are not enough to equip one for the translation field.
3. No internship
4. Quite expensive

Come to think of it, it wasn't very worth it to take the diploma, but oh well, it's a learning experience that can't be duplicated. At least I did not spend my evenings in vain.