In order to raise the standard of teaching and learning translation and interpretation, one of the essential points is to understand the fundamental issues of the theory of translation and interpretation as well as the qualities expected of translators and interpreters. Therefore, this Field Study Report attempts to review some of the literature available on these questions and make a survey of various translator and/or interpreter training courses outside Vietnam. Then, based upon the implications given by these theoretical issues and the findings from the survey of these courses, this Field Study Report tentatively suggests ways to raise the standard of teaching translation and interpretation at the Hanoi College of Foreign Languages. Accordingly, the context of the Vietnamese situation is always kept in view throughout these discussions.

Much research on reading comprehension has been done with native readers in mind; however, this study deals with reading comprehension problems for non-native readers - Vietnamese students of English. The study begins with a description of the interpreters and translators training at the Hanoi Foreign Languages College. Based on the aims and objectives of the training course the study emphasises the importance of teaching reading skills to Vietnamese interpreter and translator students in the first, second and third year. To deal with this problem, the study overviews relevant theoretical issues of reading skills presented in current literature with the purpose of relating these to the realities of teaching reading in a particular context in Vietnam. The study then looks at the main problems of teaching reading skills in the English Interpreter Department at the Hanoi Foreign Languages College. Focus has been placed on the analysis of some difficulties encountered by Vietnamese students reading English in an attempt to answer the pertinent question 'Why is it difficult for Vietnamese students to read English?' Consequently, the study considers ways in which the teaching of reading skills to Vietnamese students of interpreting and translating may be improved. The study is also concerned with the selection and development of materials and then proposes a reading syllabus in order to promote more rapid and efficient progress in the teaching of reading skills. Finally, the writer makes some suggestions about how to improve the situation of teaching reading to her colleagues in the EFL area based on her own teaching experience.