Online interpreting test in synchronous cyber classrooms

This article is based on an experiment designed to conduct an interpreting test for multiple candidates online using synchronous cyber classrooms. The test model was based on the accreditation test for Professional Interpreters by the National Accreditation Authority of Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) in Australia. Specifically, the test involved interpreting-specific components, such as dialogue interpreting, sight translation and consecutive interpreting, as well as non-interpreting-specific components such as questions on ethical issues. Simultaneous interpreting was not included. The test was conducted live and concurrently with multiple candidates - i.e. all candidates were tested at their own locations at the same time. The result of the experiment indicates that while, technically, interpreting can be tested online using the specific technology of synchronous cyber classrooms, there are also a number of constraints compared to conventional face-to-face tests.