Exploring students’ perspectives on challenges and strategies in interpretation

In the realm of interpretation training, understanding students’ perspectives on the factors influencing their performance is crucial for devising effective solutions. This case study embarked on a comprehensive exploration of interpretation students’ viewpoints, examining the challenges they face and the potential solutions they propose to enhance their interpretation abilities. Through the implementation of a meticulously designed online questionnaire, the study sought to uncover the significant obstacles encountered in interpretation from the students’ standpoint, while simultaneously unravelling the underlying reasons behind these challenges and the prevailing teaching methods employed in interpretation courses. The responses obtained from 234 interpretation students enrolled in Saudi universities shed light on their profound appreciation for guidance and support, particularly in comprehending and proficiently employing translation strategies. The students also expressed a strong desire for feedback on their interpretation performance and an eagerness to acquire effective note-taking techniques. Recognizing the paramount importance of continuous improvement, the students acknowledge the significance of these aspects in elevating their overall interpretation abilities. Furthermore, the study identified simultaneous interpretation (SI) and English-Arabic language pairs as two major hurdles in the field of interpretation. Additionally, students expressed difficulties with speech speed and specialised terminology. The research also underscored several pivotal factors that have the potential to enhance students’ performance in interpretation. Notably, practising sight translation (ST) in specialised translation courses emerged as the most influential factor, closely followed by the provision of glossaries containing specialized terminology and the utilisation of equipped interpretation labs, which bridge the gap between the interpretation classroom and real-life practice. Other significant factors included conducting diagnostic tests, offering optional training courses, deepening the understanding of interpretation coping strategies, and providing feedback on interpretation. The study is hoped to present invaluable insights into the perspectives of interpretation students, providing practical implications for educators to design impactful teaching approaches and comprehensive support systems that foster the development of students’ interpretation skills.