Skip to content
FacebookTwitterLinkedinYoutubeInstagram
  • Join ATA
  • Renew
  • Contact Us
  • Log In
American Translators Association (ATA)
Find a Language Professional
  • Certification
    • Certification
      • Guide to ATA Certification
      • What is a Certified Translation?
      • How the Exam is Graded
      • Review and Appeal Process
      • Looking for More Information?
    • Taking the Exam
      • About the Exam
      • How to Prepare
      • Practice Test
      • Exam Schedule
    • Already Certified?
      • Put Your Credentials To Work
      • CT Designation and Seal
      • Continuing Education Requirement
    • Register Buttons
      • Exam Schedule
         
      • Order Practice Test
  • Career and Education
    • For Newcomers
      • Student Resources
      • Starting Your Career
      • The Savvy Newcomer
    • For Professionals
      • Growing Your Career
      • Business Strategies
      • Next Level
      • Client Outreach Kit
      • Mentoring
    • Resources
      • For Educators and Trainers
      • Tools and Technology
      • Publications
      • School Outreach
    • Event Buttons
      • Upcoming Webinars
  • Client Assistance
    • Client Resources
      • Why Should I Hire a Professional?
      • Translator vs. Interpreter
      • Getting It Right
    • More Client Resources
      • Need a Certified Translation?
      • What is Machine Translation?
      • The ATA Compass
    • Find a Translator Button
      • Find a Language Professional
  • Events
    • Events
      • Annual Conference
      • Seminars and Workshops
      • Certification Exam Schedule
    • More Events
      • Webinar Series
      • Calendar of Events
    • Event Buttons
      • Visit ATA64
      • Upcoming Webinars
         
  • News
    • Industry News
    • Advocacy and Outreach
    • Press Room
    • The ATA Chronicle
    • The ATA Podcast
    • ATA Newsbriefs
  • Member Center
    • Member Resources
      • Join ATA
      • Renew Your Membership
      • Benefits of Membership
      • Divisions
      • Chapters, Affiliates, and Other Groups
      • Get Involved
      • Shop the ATA Store
    • Already a Member?
      • Log Into Your Member Center
      • Connect with Members
      • Create Your Directory Listing
      • Become a Voting Member
      • Member Discounts
    • Member Buttons
      • Join ATA
         
      • Member Login
  • About Us
    • About ATA
      • Who We Are
      • Press Room
      • Honors and Awards Program
      • Advertise with Us
      • American Foundation for
        Translation and Interpretation
      • Contact Us
    • How ATA Works
      • Board of Directors
      • Committees
      • Policies & Procedures
      • Code of Ethics
    • Contact Button
      • Contact ATA
  • Join ATA
  • Renew Your Membership
  • Contact Us
  • Log In
  • Find a Language Professional
January 11, 2019

Certification Activities at ATA59

Resources
By The ATA Chronicle

ATA’s Annual Conference is always a time for translators to reconnect, regroup, and refocus. This is especially true for those involved in ATA’s Certification Program—exam graders and members of the Certification Committee alike. Here is a rundown of certification activities at ATA59 in New Orleans.

Grader Training: On Wednesday afternoon before the Welcome Celebration, 55 graders gathered for the traditional four-hour training session. One of the areas of focus this time was mentorship within the Certification Program: how to better integrate and orient new and prospective graders. This topic was prompted by the large number of new graders who have joined the program over the past year. Attendees also participated in a group grading exercise concerned with literalism. As always, head grader trainer Larry Bogoslaw provided an interesting and engaging program for all involved.

Certification Committee Meeting: The Certification Committee also held its semiannual meeting during the conference. A main topic of discussion was exploring opportunities for orienting and preparing candidates for the exam. This includes live regional workshops modeled after the successful pilot held in Boston last January (more events like this are being planned for 2019). The Certification Committee is also preparing a series of YouTube videos about certain aspects of the Certification Program and exam, and is looking into other media outlets (e.g., webinars, interactive platforms) for giving candidates greater insight into what it takes to succeed.

Continuing Education: In addition, the committee has created a task force charged with reexamining the continuing education requirements, with an eye on updating them. Results from this endeavor are expected in the first half of 2019.

Computerized Exam: Finally, the committee looked at ways to improve the computerized exam process, specifically to eliminate the use of USB drives for saving and transmitting completed exams. It’s likely that exam sittings in 2019 will instead make use of cloud computing, which will greatly streamline the process for candidates and proctors alike, and also reduce the likelihood of technical failure.

In the coming year, ATA’s Certification Program will continue to look for new ways to improve access to the credential while maintaining a high level of integrity and rigor.


David Stephenson is the chair of ATA’s Certification Committee. An ATA-certified German>English, Dutch>English, and Croatian>English translator, he has been an independent translator for over 30 years, specializing in civil litigation and creative nonfiction. Contact: david@stephensontranslations.com.

Share this

Posts navigation

← Dealing with Terminology Drift
Thank You Sponsors and Exhibitors →

Latest Posts

  • 8 COVID-Era Online Language Practice Sites January 25, 2023
  • ATA Supports Colorado Legislation to Use ATA-Certified Translators January 24, 2023
  • Newsbriefs: January 17, 2023 January 17, 2023
  • Translator Profile: ATA Past President Ted Wozniak January 11, 2023
  • 5 Steps for Translating Official Documents January 11, 2023

Topics

  • Advocacy & Outreach
  • Annual Conference
  • Book Reviews
  • Business Strategies
  • Certification Exam
  • Certification Program
  • Client Assistance
  • Educators and Trainers
  • Growing Your Career
  • Industry News
  • Interpreting
  • Member News
  • Mentoring
  • Networking
  • Public Outreach
  • Publications
  • Resources
  • School Outreach
  • Specializations
  • Starting Your Career
  • Student Resources
  • Tools and Technology
  • Translation
Language Services Directory
ata_logo_footer

American Translators Association
225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 590
Alexandria, VA 22314

Phone +1-703-683-6100
Fax +1-703-683-6122

  • Certification
  • Career and Education
  • Client Assistance
  • Events
  • News
  • Member Center
  • About Us
  • Member Login
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Submit Feedback

© 2023 - American Translators Association

Website by Yoko Co

Find a Language Professional
Scroll To Top