Brussels has several translators/interpreters schools. They can basically be split up in two categories : French speaking and Dutch speaking. The main French speaking school in Brussels (and in my opinion the best) is ISTI (Institut Superieur de Traducteurs et interpretes) 35 Rue J. Hazard 1180 Brussels Tel : 32.2.345 98 70 They teach basically all EU languages + Russian In Dutch there are 2 good schools Erasmushogeschool Rue des Treves 84 1040 Brussels Tel : 32.2.230 12 60 Languages: A : Dutch B : French, English, German C : Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Greek, Danish, Russian VLEKHO (Vlaamse Ekonomisch Hogeschool) 336 Koningstraat 1210 Brussels Tel : 32.2.221 12 11 Languages : same as Erasmus (I think) Belgian schools are fully subsidised, which means that for EU citizens school fees are between 10.000 and 15.000 BF a year (approx. 300 - 500 US$) Curricula differ from one school to the other, and each school has strong and weaker languages sections, e.g. the Russian deaprtment at Erasmus is extremely good, on the other hand Spanish is better at VLEKHO than et Erasmus. The first two years (candidatures) SS take either 1 B-language and 1 C-language or 2 B-languages, as well as a series of general education classes. Translation is done from B and C language into A language. In the 2 following years (licences) different schools have different curricula. At Erasmus SS have to pass a test to be allowed into interpreter section. Other go to translators (this is a very simplistic explanation though). Interpreting is done in the first year into the A language, in the second year in both directions. At VLEKHO, the choice happens between the third and fourth year, aslo after taking tests. At ISTI SS first take four years of translator classes, then after graduating as translator, can go on to 1 or 2 extra years as interpreter. The above three schools are not the only Brussels T/I schools, yet they are the only ones I know well enough. One thing though, only about 40 - 45% of SS pass the first year the first time round. This is mainly due to the exam system in Belgium. Exams are organised once a year, in June. You have to take exams in all subjects covered during that academic year, and pass them all (50% min. per subject - 60% for interpreting). If you fail one, you have to resit them ALL in September. All these schools also actively participate in the EU Erasmus-programme. Students can go and study abroad on a scholarship for one or two consecuvtive semesters. Credits are transferred from guest university towards their year-end exams. This gives students an opportunity to get to gain a better knowledge of the language and culture. Each year a lot of foreign students come to Brussels, thus enabling the students in Brussels to get practise the foreign languages through conversations and social contacts with native speakers. Hope this gives you some general idea. If you want more info on one or other school, or if you have more specific questions, do let me know. This is a very short general idea of the schools here (deadlines oblige). Regards Rita Translator/interpreter Dutch, English, Spanish