Welcome to the NAJIT Academy
The NAJIT Academy is an exciting educational project under the direction of the Training and Education Committee offering webinars and other educational opportunities. This initiative is intended to provide a variety of subjects and in many different languages to meet the needs of NAJIT friends and members.
We invite you to submit your ideas for webinar topics as well as submit your own webinar proposal. Please use the links above to share them!
Upcoming Webinars:
February
Self-Care for Interpreters and Translators
Presenters: Dr. Niery Grace Bardakjian and Dr. Lili Selden
Date: February 21, 2026
Time: 11:00 am-1:00 pm ET
Overview:
T&I professionals in every sphere work under stressful circumstances and rely on their minds and bodies to help facilitate effective communication. The stresses interpreters experience stem from the cognitive load of balancing the need for complete and accurate renditions, on the one hand, and the need to be as inobtrusive and efficient as possible, on the other hand, while also hearing accurately and speaking clearly for hours on end, often with only brief breaks to decompress. Transcribers and translators often sit, hour after hour at a desk, staring at computer screens and typing rapidly to meet rush deadlines. There is also a moderate to high risk of vicarious trauma for interpreters working on assignments involving natural disasters, conflict or injustice of all kinds, debilitating health issues, and so on. It is essential, therefore, for language professionals to continually monitor their mental, emotional, and physical health, and to take care of their “instrument.” During this 120-minute, language-neutral, hands-on webinar, the co-presenters discuss the research documenting symptoms of vicarious trauma in interpreters. They also share best practices for routine self-care, ranging from vocal exercises to ensure healthy vocal cords, accounting for the risk of hearing loss and acoustic shock from unsuitable headsets when interpreting remotely or in the booth, stretches to protects against carpal tunnel and back pain, and prioritizing one’s mental and emotional health both to ensure delivery of reliable services during potentially traumatic assignments and to be able to de-stress afterward. Attendees will learn about, and practice together, a range of vocal, breathing, visualization, and other exercises. Ultimately, this session will equip novice and experienced interpreters with an array of self-care tools to enhance their mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
Learning Objectives
Attendees will learn about the cognitive, physical, and emotional demands placed on their minds and bodies when working as T&I professionals, and ways to allow them to decompress after particularly taxing assignments. Attendees will leave the workshop with tools for maintaining their mental, emotional, and physical health.
Co-Presenter Bios
Niery Grace Bardakjian (MA in teaching, MBA, and PhD in music) is a conference and liaison interpreter who coaches English, conference interpreting, test preparation (TOEFL, GMAT), and music (piano, singing) in Armenia and online. She is the founder of Grace+ful learning which provides interpreting, translation, and technical support for events. In addition to corporate clients, she interprets for Armenian government, UN, and EU officials, as well as for overseas diplomats posted to Armenia. As a conference interpreter, the topics she has extensive experience in include politics, education, economics, and development. She is also a singer, voice over actor, award-winning choral conductor, and mother of four who is currently studying for the court interpreter oral exam.
Lili Selden (BA in music, MA and PhD in Japanese literature) is a translator, interpreter, academic editor, and intercultural communications coach. Having previously taught Japanese literature and language, she is now a registered court interpreter in multiple jurisdictions and teaches Japanese language, business etiquette, and T&I courses. Since joining NAJIT in 2017, she has volunteered on the Training & Education, Advocacy, and Positions Papers Committees. She is currently a NAJIT board member and a member of the Training & Education committee.
*NOTE: Participants must attend the entire live webinar to receive a certificate of attendance.
All other webinars: Refunds will be provided for cancellation requests received two weeks before the event, less a 10% processing fee. Email the NAJIT Administrator at hq@najit.org to request your cancellation.
Cost:
FREE
Registration is required to attend
CEUs Offered?:Yes. CEUs are provided for attendance at the live, real-time virtual session on the scheduled date. Certificates of attendance will be provided following the event.
Unable to attend live? A link to the recording will be sent to anyone who has registered for the webinar.
Registration closes at midnight the day before the webinar.
March
Intro to Forensic Transcription/Translation
Presenter: Javier Castillo
Date: March 12, 2026
Time: 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm ET
Overview:
During this 1-hour webinar course participants will learn what is needed to get started in the world of forensic transcription/translation.
We will cover:
- Preparation
- Equipment
- Software
- Protocol
- Best Practices
- Pitfalls to avoid
Learning Objectives
By the end of the session, participants will have learned what is needed to get started in the world of forensic transcription/translation, and how to acquire the necessary skills and equipment.
Presenter Bio
Javier Castillo is president of Castillo Language Services, Inc. in Greenville, NC. He is an interpreter, translator, consultant and internationally recognized speaker. He is a Federally Certified Court Interpreter, NC AOC certified court interpreter, a Certified Medical Interpreter, (CCHI) and contract interpreter for the U.S. Department of State and routinely interprets for international delegations and high-level speakers across the United States and abroad.
Javier has provided certified forensic transcription/translation of thousands of audio/video files for federal and state cases. He has not only received specialized training in forensic transcription/translation but has designed courses on the subject and been a presenter at State and National Conferences. Mr. Castillo has been qualified as and has testified as an expert witness in State and U.S. District Courts on Forensic Transcription and Translation.
*NOTE: Participants must attend the entire live webinar to receive a certificate of attendance.
All other webinars: Refunds will be provided for cancellation requests received two weeks before the event, less a 10% processing fee. Email the NAJIT Administrator at hq@najit.org to request your cancellation.
Cost:
Members: $25
Non-Members: $40
CEUs Offered?:Yes. CEUs are provided for attendance at the live, real-time virtual session on the scheduled date. Certificates of attendance will be provided following the event.
Unable to attend live? A link to the recording will be sent to anyone who has registered for the webinar.
Registration closes at midnight the day before the webinar.
ASL Comm is an Approved RID CMP Sponsor for continuing education activities.