This week, our Honours and MSc interpreting students had the privilege of learning from Beth Black, an interpreter from the English-Irish booth of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Interpretation (DG SCIC). Her visit brought a wealth of expertise, practical advice, and inspiration to our MA and MSc interpreting classes.

Throughout her time with us, she led several interpreting sessions, during which she offered tailored feedback and guidance to students. Her insights into the profession were both encouraging and constructive, helping students refine their technique and build confidence.

One of the highlights was her masterclass on note-taking for interpreting – a highly specialised skill that is essential for professional success. Students were introduced to strategies that support memory, structure, and clarity during live interpretation.

She also gave a career talk focused on pathways into conference interpreting. She shared invaluable advice on what helps students transition into professional roles, including tips on training, networking, and continuous development.

Her sessions have been consistently focused, practical, and deeply inspiring. The feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive – they’ve come away motivated and better equipped to pursue their interpreting careers.

We’re incredibly grateful for her time and expertise, and we look forward to welcoming her back in the future!