I took part in the program of simultaneous interpretation which took place in Tokushima. It was held by Ministry of Education and it was held in not all prefectures so some people came from Kagawa which is next to Tokushima. It was 8 days program and I had to study for 6 hours per day, and I went to Tokushima Bunri university to take it. I found the article of it on the newspaper accidentally and I applied for it right away. I thought this was a good chance to develop my English skills and to approach my dream. It cost me thirty thousand yen. I was the youngest applicant in 24 people. There were the applicant whose daughter is older than me and the woman who lives in Canada for 10 years. I didn't have the knowledge of the simultaneous interpretation so I was very nervous. I took the lectures from 2 instructors who are active in business and one of them is also working as a teacher at Tokai university. I was surprised that their performances were wonderful and it was the first time I heard the live interpretation. As a textbook, Hilary Clinton's speech, the debate of " don't ask/don't tell"policy and the news were used. It was difficult for me to keep up with other people because I didn't have the knowledge of background. However, I could get the information of the simultaneous interpretation and I could use many equipments that I can't usually use such as booth. I really nervous in booth and I didn't know what to do. The lectures were shadowing, mumbling and interpretation with watching the video and listening the voice of the cassette tape. I didn't know how hard the simultaneous interpretation is until I take that program. There were some people who gave up it. I thought my English level was the worst in the participants and sometimes I wanted to quit but I didn't give up and stuck it out. The last day of the program, we had to do simultaneous interpretation of the closing ceremony. It was the last assignment for us. My result of it was not so good but I felt a sense of achievement. The program was really hard but I could have nice experience thr
ough it and my will that I want to be an interpreter became stronger. I want to make use of what I learned in the program and I hope I can be like the instructors. I want to take part in the program next year if I can. I bought the books of the simultaneous interpretation so I want to study if I have a time.This is one of the instructors and her name is Etsuko Okada.
