Cued Language Transliterator National Certification Examination

CLTNCE :: About :: Ratings :: Preparing

Remember that the CLTNCE is a comprehensive test designed to measure your transliterator skills. It was created to ensure that those who pass the test are qualified to perform in a variety of situations and for a diverse population of consumers. With this in mind, if you are new to the profession or have not undergone specialized transliterator training, you would be well-advised to assess your skills and investigate professional development before registering for the exam.

Cueing and Transliterating are NOT the Same Learning to cue is only the first step learning how to be a qualified transliterator. Not only must you be a skilled and fluent cuer, you will also need to be able to model specific skills related to communication facilitation.

No Two Certifications are Identical You may have successfully completed certification in other areas (e.g. instructor certification). This not not ensure that you will pass transliterator certification. Know the purpose behind the test you intend to take. Learn about the format of the tests. Also be sure to know how the test will be rated.

The Prerequisites Are There to Protect You You must pass the prerequisite tests (the CAECS-E and the CAECS-R) before you may register to take the CLTNCE. This is a litmus test for you. These tests of expressive and receptive were set up so that they are offered before the other tests in the battery. Therefore, they provide you with a check point. Some candidates are not aware that they are unprepared to take the CLTNCE. However, if you have a great deal of difficulty on the CAECS-E (where you may control the rate at which you cue) or on the CAECS-R (where you must only cueread single words), then you are not ready for national certification as a transliterator. Use these prerequisites to help you assess your skills and further prepare. Make sure you understand the diagnostic feedback they provide to fine tune your plan for future test preparation.

The Pressure's On You may be under pressure from your local school district, deaf consumers, your boss, or even your fellow transliterators to undergo testing. You cannot always avoid outside pressures, but try to diminish their affect on your performance. If those pressuring you do not have the authority to do so, kindly tell them to back off.

Plan Ahead You will need to create a realistic timeline for your preparation. Realize that it could take eight weeks or more between the time you decide to take the prerequiste tests and the time that you receive your scores. If you do not pass, you will need to allot time to go over your diagnostic report and adapt your cueing (based on the advice provided), then you will need to start the process over again. This whole process does not include your preparation for the CLTNCE itself. Signing up for the CAECS tests a couple months before the CLTNCE is offered is not advised. Your CAECS scores are valid for 18 months. Plan to use that time.

If You Could Take A Less-Exprensive, Less-Comprehensive Version of the National Exam, Would You? The Cued Language Transliterator State Level Examination (CLTSLA) was written by the same authors who created the CLTNCE. It has similar sections, similar material, and could have similar results. Taking the CLTSLA is a great way to test the certification waters to see just how ready you are. The test is offered in Louisiana, North Carolina, Virginia, and Utah. Contact the TECUnit to learn if other states offer the test.

Devise a Plan Come up with a specific plan of attack. Break up your plan according to the subtests of the CLTNCE. Proportion your attention to each by focusing on your weaker areas and making improvements.

Prerequisite Tests: Information to help you Prepare for the CAECS-E and to Prepare for the CAECS-R is provided in this website's sections for those tests.

Written: The TECUnit gives a substantial list of topics related to transliteration for study. How extensively should you investigate each topic as part of your preparation? Strive for a good overview of each subject. Know the core material of each subject including its main components and terminology. You are not be expected to get a PhD. in any of these topics, so don't let the legnth of the list frighten you. Be realistic and systematic in covering the material. Check yourself by trying some Interactive Quizzes and Activities.

Commentary: You should be familiar with the Code of Conduct. You should understand its tenets in terms of their intent and scope. If you have not participated in courses devoted to transliterator decision making and professional ethics, you should consider doing so. Language Matter's CLT Ethical Decision Making I and II directly address these topics.

Syllables Per Minute Asessment: If you are not a flent cuer or if you sometimes struggle when transliterating to keep up with speakers (who are speaking at a generally conversational rate), you may have difficulty passing this subtest of the CLTNCE. Candidates cannot compensate for their lack of fluency by paraphrasing during this test!. You must pass the Syllables Per Minute test in order to pass the CLTNCE.

Performance: Target specific skills in your preparation. Videotape yourself transliterating lectures, stories with sounds, foreign languages, accents and dialects, and dialogues. Watch yourself and analyze your performance. Invite colleagues to watch and give you feedback. For preparation suggestions for the performance test, consult the CLTSLA performance suggestions.