Continuing education in translation and interpretation at the Universidad Veracruzana: the case of a graduate

Abstract

This qualitative and explanatory inquiry aims to expose the planning, creation, and implementation of the first edition of the Universidad Veracruzana Certificate Program in Translation and Interpreting Studies and identify the program’s strengths and areas of improvement. The sample was composed of 18 students: nine of them from a Bachelor’s Degree in French, eight from a Bachelor’s Degree in English, one student whose mother tongues are Tepehua and Spanish, and one professor who developed a teacher-as-researcher role. Most of the students were graduates from the School of Languages of the Universidad Veracruzana. During the inquiry, two methods were applied: focus groups and life stories. The results show that students consider that the acquired knowledge is helpful to their education, and it gave them the basics to keep learning about these academic disciplines. The students’ answers were helpful to recognize the need to implement the Certificate Program again and apply some changes in the curriculum to analyze the establishment of a Specialization or a Master of Translation and Interpreting.