MCIS Training Policies
Registration Information
All applications are assessed by the Training Department which is empowered to accept, defer or reject the admission of any applicant to the program. Applicants will be advised of their acceptance by an official letter of acceptance.
Training Application
All Interpreter Training applicants are required to fill out an application form (also available in print at the office). By doing so, you acknowledge that you
Letter of Acceptance and Payment
In order to complete a registration for training, you must pay course fees as soon as possible after receiving notice of acceptance. You can submit money orders or cheques by mail, or register in person and pay by cash, money order, cheque, debit or credit card (VISA or MasterCard).
Re-Admission
Requests for re-admission are received on occasion from students who have withdrawn from previous trainings for one or more days of training. In these cases a student must apply in the normal manner by submitting a Training Application. Prior attendance to training does not guarantee re-admission, and assessment of the request is subject to seat availability.
To meet program conditions and graduate, students who interrupt their studies for a period of time may be required to take additional courses and/or repeat courses which have gone through significant change.
Withdrawals and Refunds
Once registered, a seat is reserved for you. You are academically and financially responsible for your Training. Unless a formal written withdrawal is made no later than by the second day of class, you will forfeit all training fees paid to MCIS.
The effective date of withdrawal is the date we receive your written notice. You are not officially withdrawn if you cease to attend classes, notify your instructor of your intent to withdraw, or provide verbal notice to MCIS staff.
Refunds
Full refunds are issued ten business days before the first day of class. No administration fee applies.
Full refunds are issued before the second day of class. Where a full refund is approved within this timeframe, a $50 administration fee will apply.
Partial refunds for up to 50% of the training fee can be approved after the second day of class, and before the end of the fourth class, at the sole discretion of MCIS, based on a written request, supporting documentation, and the return of the original receipt to the Training Development Manager. Where a partial refund is approved, a $50 administration fee will apply.
No refund will be issued after the fourth day of class.
Paid registration fees may be credited towards a future training session registration, at the sole discretion of MCIS (see Re-Admission under Registration Information).
Where MCIS cancels a training session, all registered students are entitled to a full refund (see Postponement of Training). No administration fee applies.
Full refunds are issued for tests or workshops that have been paid for in advance but not taken yet. No administration fee applies.
How are refunds issued?
If you registered in person using cash, cheque or debit card, a refund cheque will be issued. If you paid by credit card, you may request that the refund be credited to the same card used for your registration.
Postponement of Training
Training must sometimes be postponed due to low enrolment. MCIS reserves the right to postpone Training up to the closing date. On these occasions, every effort will be made to notify students by email and/or phone. Please ensure we have your current contact information.
Where Training is cancelled, intending participants may transfer without additional charge to another training, or receive a full refund of fees paid.
Changes to Training
MCIS makes every effort to offer courses as described in the Training Syllabus. However, MCIS reserves the right to change courses dates, instructors and locations of instruction without prior notice. These changes do not affect the academic content of the programme.
Academic Policies
Attendance
Mandatory Days. Students must attend all “Fundamentals of Interpreting” and “Domestic Violence” training days. Students who are absent for one or more of these days can make up for missed classes by seeking re-admission to a future training (see Re-Admission), in order to become eligible for graduation.
Optional Days. Students must attend the “Specializations” training days for those areas in which they want to work for MCIS. Students who are absent for one or more of these days, forfeit the right to interpret in the particular setting taught during the lessons that were missed. These students can also make up for missed classes by seeking re-admission to a future training (see Re-Admission), in order to become fully eligible for employment with MCIS.
Make-up lessons. Students can apply to join a future training in order to make up for missed lessons, or can request either individual or group tutoring. The cost of individual tutoring is $105 for a half-day lesson (3 hours) and $210 for a full-day (6 hours). Group tutoring is offered at $75 per student for a half-day lesson and $150 for a full-day. Make-up lessons do not necessarily last the same amount time as the original lessons, and materials as well as teaching techniques might vary too.
Make-up presentations. Students who miss training days for which they want or have to make up for, can opt for doing a presentation to the training team, about the topic or subject matter that pertains to the lesson(s) missed. The length of the presentation and all other details will be decided by Training and/or jointly agreed upon by the facilitator(s) and the student. The cost associated to make-up presentations is calculated at $1 per minute: the time the student is booked to present for typically ranges from 20 minutes (making-up for day/one lesson), to 60 minutes (multiple lessons missed).
Punctuality
Training facilitators reserve the right to admit to class a student who arrives unreasonably late.
Language Lab and Homework
Students must complete 45 minutes of recorded interpreting practice per week of training. All homework must be submitted within the deadlines set by facilitators.
Quizzes, Tests and Post-training Assessment
Quizzes and tests are used to evaluate students’ progress throughout training and can only be taken at the time they are administered in class. The Post-training assessment consists of three separate exams administered the same day at the end of training. It is a requirement for graduation, and the date this test takes is indicated in the Training Syllabus (see Conditions for Graduation).
Conditions for GraduationA student is eligible to graduate from Training, and obtain a Language Certified Interpreter certificate, when the following criteria have been met:
- the student has obtained either CILISAT or ILSAT certification issued in the languages in which those tests are available;
- the student has obtained a minimum 70% mark in each of the Post-Training Assessment exams consisting of written, audio and video components.
Where a student fails the Post-Training Assessment, MCIS will consider the student’s attendance, participation in class, timely submission of homework and overall performance, in order to determine whether the student can have a second chance to test.
Dispute Resolution Policy and Procedures
All students have rights and responsibilities. It is important that everyone be aware of these rights and responsibilities and the requirement that upon enrolment, there is an obligation to adhere to them. Most importantly, everyone at the Training has the right to study/learn in an environment that is respectful and free from discrimination, harassment and disturbance. Everyone is responsible for knowing Training rules, policies and regulations and for adhering to them.
Code of Conduct
Inappropriate behaviour may include:
- assaults
- trespass
- threats
- improper use of computer systems
- discrimination
- defamation
- harassment
- dishonesty
- sexual harassment
- disorder (disruption, disturbances)
- theft
- consumption of alcohol and prohibited substances
- damage to property
- violation of MCIS reputation
- not returning borrowed MCIS property
Harassment or Discrimination
Harassment or discrimination is defined as misconduct motivated by, based on, or related to your race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin (including language, dialect or accent), citizenship, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital or family status, record of provincial offences or pardoned federal offences, disability or receipt of public assistance.
Sexual harassment: What is it?
Inappropriate comments about gender or behaviour that may be considered offensive, unwelcome or excessive. Remarks or language used about a person’s physical characteristics; leering or inappropriate staring; bragging about sexual prowess and display of sexually offensive material.
For information or assistance in addressing and resolving a dispute, consult with:
- Instructor
- Training Coordinator
- Training Supervisor
- Training Manager
- Executive Director
- Ontario Human Rights Commission
Student Services
Language Testing
MCIS is one of the agencies responsible for the administration of CILISAT or ILSAT testing. Our assessment services are offered on an appointment basis and can be arranged by calling MCIS Training Department at (416) 426-7014 or by sending an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Book your language test as early as possible to ensure staff and time availability.
Cafeteria/Food Services
The cafeteria is located in the basement of the Foresters building, house to MCIS. They offer breakfast, lunch, light meals and snacks. The cafeteria is closed on evenings and weekends.
Library and Media Services
Bilingual forms for sight translation, course-related audio CDs and videos are available. In order to access a language lab or viewing station, it is recommended that you book all equipment at least 24 hours in advance.
Parking
Guest parking on Foresters Lane is free after 2:00 PM on weekdays. Before 2:00 PM, free two-hour parking permits are available from the parking attendant. All-day parking is also available from the attendant for $5.00