Using a Mock Conference as an Innovative Internship Activity for Translation Education

This chapter describes the design and implementation of a mock conference (MC) as part of an internship course for senior English translation majors. The MC design covers all essential parts for the seniors to participate in the professional preparation for consecutive conference interpreting. Its two major innovative features are (1) an authentic situated-learning environment and (2) research papers presented by Vietnamese lecturers and administrators from various faculties and departments of the University, making effective use of its available internal intellectual sources. After four years of implementation, we conducted a survey to evaluate the initiative. This chapter provides a brief theoretical review, describes the design and organization of an MC as an innovative internship for consecutive interpreting, and analyzes the students’ feedback. The chapter offers implications for the MC organization, supervisors’ support, benefits and challenges, and factors and/or tactics effective for their performance.