Self-Study & Assignment Preparation
For Interpreters — a foundational workshop on deliberate practice and the essential workflow required to approach any assignment with readiness.
Thursday, October 16, 2025
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Pacific
Hybrid
E2S Office & Zoom
Rodrigo Gaspar-Barajas
Client & Interpreter Relations Manager · English 2 Spanish
Rodrigo Gaspar-Barajas (he/they) is the Client & Interpreter Relations Manager with English 2 Spanish and serves as the Interpreter Learning Lab Program Manager. With nearly a decade of experience as an English<>Spanish interpreter, they have navigated the full spectrum of the field—from the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of the Emergency Department to the nuanced complexities of legal and educational settings.
A graduate of the University of Portland with a BA in Music, Rodrigo brings a performer’s ear to their work and enjoys the performance aspects of interpreting. They find professional fulfillment in the linguistic challenges of Behavioral Health and Speech Therapy, where precise note-taking and cultural nuance are paramount. Having balanced the “hustle” of freelance work with the stability of staff roles over the years, they bring a holistic understanding of the vital relationship between clients, language professionals, and the people they serve.
When not managing relations or interpreting, Rodrigo can be found practicing opera singing, diving into a non-fiction book, or watching a K-Drama!
Course Description
This foundational workshop explores the mechanics of professional mastery. Presented by Rodrigo Gaspar-Barajas, CHI, it guides interpreters through the rigors of deliberate practice and the essential workflow required to approach any interpreting assignment with readiness.
Program Goal
By the end of the course, participants will be able to structure a deliberate practice and assignment prep routine grounded in the sub-skills of interpreting.
Core Competencies
Practice Fundamentals
Define “deliberate practice” and understand its relevance to linguistic skills
Core Interpreting Sub-Skills
Identify the sub-skills of interpreting
Memory & Shadowing Drills
Implement specific memory and shadowing drills to improve interpreting sub-skills
Assignment Preparation
Use techniques to substitute for absent visual cues — verbal descriptions, explicit turn-taking signals, clarifying questions, and scripting
LOCATION
In-Person
E2S Office
354 NE Greenwood Avenue
Online
Available via Zoom
Remote attendance option
