For presenters and workshop facilitators

• Have visual aids, handouts, etc. available in both languages.
• Get materials to the organizers ahead of time so they can be made available to the interpreters.
• Orient participants to what is involved in being part of a interpreted workshop; point out the following:
  • Interpretation installations have several channels: announce channel numbers for reception in each language.
  • Hitting or moving the microphones hurts the interpreters' ears.
  • The microphone should not touch the body and it should be pinned to clothing so that it doesn't move.
  • Speakers should turn their microphone on when they start to speak and switch it off when they stop.
  • Only one person should speak at once.
  • There should be no cross-talk as interpreters can't hear and people will lose sense of what has been said.
• Do not move too frequently from one language to another so that participants do not have to take earphones out too often and interpreters don't have to switch.
• Give clues when you are going to switch languages. For example, say the first word, phrase or sentence in the new language, pausing to give both interpreters and participants time to adjust. Then repeat what you have just said before continuing in the new language.
• If you are reading, make sure that interpreters have a copy of the text (in both languages if available). Read slowly.
• Pause after every few sentences so the interpreters can catch up.
• Avoid acronyms and difficult words.
• Use visual aids (pictures, diagrams, key words). Do not rely wholly on the spoken word. You can have visual materials available in both languages concurrently. For example:
  • Use two flip charts with two people taking notes, one in each language.
  • Use PowerPoint slides with two screens running at the same time, one in each language.