From 11 to 20 March Brian Gentle, a retired DG SCIC interpreter, visited SCIT on a pedagogical assistance mission. His first working week was devoted to giving master-classes to the SCIT students. Throughout the week they practiced interpreting consecutive and simultaneous speeches into English on various topics they had prepared and delivered themselves. Doing it in front of a native English speaker and receiving his professional feedback, certainly helps the students to enhance their independent work in mastering English and improving the quality of interpreting.

Brian’s second week in St. Petersburg was taken up by work at the aptitude tests, which required a good deal of preparation on his part as well. Now it was his turn to deliver mini-speeches to the SCIT applicants whose job was to interpret them into Russian showing aptitude for work as interpreters. Brian’s artistic and elegant delivery coupled with his kindly attitude surely helped the applicants to cope with exam stress and perform at their best.

SCIT sincerely thanks Brian Gentle for his generous help and hope to welcome him back soon!