Peer feedback and reflective practice in public service interpreter training

Abstract

The paper discusses the importance of student-generated feedback, that is, peer feedback and self-assessment in public service interpreter training. The importance of peer feedback and self-assessment is widely recognised in teaching and learning and benefits include: promoting analytical and critical thinking skills, students' active participation in the learning process, promoting a collaborative model of teaching and learning, students' responsibility and autonomy, to name but a few. However, their beneficial character can also be observed in public service interpreter training. The aim of the pilot study conducted among trainee interpreters (MA students) of public service interpreting course was to examine interpreting quality and compare positive (strengths) and negative aspects (weaknesses) of trainee interpreters' performance identified by them by means of peer feedback and reflection (self-assessment). The trainees participated in simulated public service interpreting sessions and later were asked to reflect on their own as well as their peers' performance. As seen from data analysis, there are discrepancies between peer feedback and reflection in the perception of students' strengths and weaknesses and a negative trend can be observed in the case of reflection.