Exploring students’ perspectives on challenges and strategies in interpretation

Abstract

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