To qualify for the MAT, MATLM, MATI, or MACI degree programs, students must demonstrate near-native fluency in English and one or more of the following languages:
- Chinese
- French
- German
- Japanese
- Korean
- Russian
- Spanish
- Arabic - available in the Fall of 2008
Every student must have English as an active language, either an A or B language. GSTI uses the AIIC (International Conference Interpreters Association) standard of rating for languages.
A Language: The student's native language, or another language strictly equivalent to a native language. Translators work into this language, and interpreters work into this language in both simultaneous and consecutive modes of interpretation.
B Language: A language other than the student’s native language, usually the first foreign language, of which they have perfect command, and into which they may work in translation and interpretation.
C Language: Language of which the student has a complete understanding, and from which he or she will work. The C language is a passive foreign language from which a translator or interpreter will work into the A language.
Language Proficiency Evaluation: The Early Diagnostic Test
The Early Diagnostic Test or EDT is required along with application materials for all prospective students of the GSTI program. All students wishing to take GSTI courses must take the EDT. The EDT is used to evaluate language proficiency, and is reviewed by members of the GSTI faculty. The EDT is taken by the prospective student at home, within a two hour time limit, and involves some translation, and speaking into a cassette recorder or digital recording device. The EDT is an integral part of the application to GSTI. It is based on the prospective student’s performance on the EDT, as well as their academic history, and letters of recommendation, and other application materials that admission is considered. To request an EDT, please contact the Admissions Office at (831) 647-4123 or via e-mail to admit@miis.edu. Please include your native language and other languages you plan to use during your program of study. Please note: If the EDT is submitted after May 1, there may be some delay in evaluating it for the fall semester. Only students with passing scores on the EDT will be offered admission.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the (spelled out) IELTS is required for non-native English speakers applying to the GSTI program.
TOEFL minimums: 600 (paper) 250 (computer) 100 (internet)
IELTS minimums: 7.0 on listening and reading sections with no subscore below 6.5
Contact Admissions with questions: admit@miis.edu or 831-647-4123
Applicants interested in taking a language combination that does not have English as one of the A/B pair must contact the GSTI office. Language combinations that do not include English as one of the A/B pair are not part of the regular program, but may be offered as directed studies. They are only offered as directed study if and when a professor with the same language combination is available.
The MAT , MATLM, and the MACI degrees may be earned with either an A/B combination (two languages), or A/B/C (three languages) combination. The MATI is usually earned in an A/B combination only. The MATI in three languages is an extremely rigorous and demanding workload, and usually requires more than two years. A student interested in the three-language MATI degree must have both the Program Head's and the Dean's approval.
Not all students who are accepted into GSTI degree programs have sufficiently strong language skills in their B or C languages. Some students who have been admitted to GSTI are encouraged to spend the summer before they begin their degree studies enhancing their skills by taking courses through the GSTI's Summer Intensive Program for Translation and Interpretation.
Some students may require a third year of study to achieve the proficiency necessary in their foreign languages to pass the comprehensive professional examinations. These students usually choose to spend the year between the first and second year at other translation and interpretation schools recognized by GSTI or spend the summer between the first and second year consolidating their foreign language competence.
