Language Alchemy - Communication Consulting in the SF Bay Area

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Language Alchemy is a consulting firm

helping organizations and individuals

communicate effectively and authentically.

Clear, accurate, and mindful communication prevents conflicts, enhances organizational

and personal efficiency, and fosters

authentic human connection.

Services

Calendar

Language Alchemy offers an array of communication services for organizations and individuals > read more

Trainings, Workshops, and Future Presentations> read more

Services

Consulting
Trainings
Translation & Interpreting

Consulting ConsultingLanguage AlchemyTM offers individualized communication consulting. We analyze the oral and written communication practices of organizations, groups and individuals and provide strategies to help them communicate effectively, mindfully and authentically. Alejandra is available for consulting nationally and internationally.
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Trainings Communication and Cross-Cultural TrainingsLanguage AlchemyTM designs and gives trainings and workshops approved for continuing educational units in a variety of professional fields. Our interactive trainings and presentations address topics such as effective and compassionate communication skills, multicultural awareness and techniques for working with non-English-speaking clients. Alejandra has given presentations and workshops around the country and is available for half-day, full-day and multi-day projects.
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Translation & Interpreting Translation & InterpretingLanguage AlchemyTM provides high-quality English into Spanish translations of any type of written materials, including: books, documents, educational texts and manuals, articles, marketing collateral, website content, and more.Language AlchemyTM offers English-Spanish simultaneous or consecutive interpreting services in a full range of settings, including: professional conferences, legal proceedings, presentations, group discussions, interviews, recorded statements, psychological evaluations, etc. Our professional interpreters are court-certified.Areas of Specialization We offer translation & interpreting services for the following fields: Education, Pedagogy and Educational PsychologyHospitality and TourismLaw: criminal, international, civil, immigration, family Medicine, Mental Health, Healthcare,Social SciencesSpirituality and Philosophy
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About

Alejandra S. Siroka, Principal and Founder of Language AlchemyTM, has been fascinated by languages and communication since her childhood. She grew up in Argentina where she studied five languages. She earned two degrees: English/Spanish Public Translator and Teacher of the English Language from the National University of Córdoba in Argentina. Alejandra moved to Margarita Island, Venezuela where she developed an educational language and communication program for the hospitality industry there. This experience allowed her to understand that speaking the same language does not ensure people will communicate effectively. She trained dozens of managers and hundreds of hotel employees and helped four hotels improve their productivity and efficiency; she transformed their ability to serve international clientele. In 1999 Alejandra moved to the United States where she worked as a bilingual and English as a Second Language teacher in Massachusetts. She also trained mainstream classroom teachers and school administrators to adapt their curricula to the needs of their multicultural students. By teaching linguistic and cultural sensitivity, she helped teachers increase student academic performance and enhanced parent outreach. In addition, she provided translation and interpreting services for schools, universities and several non-profit organizations in Boston. For the past six years, Alejandra has been providing translation and interpreting services as a certified Spanish Court Interpreter for California and Federal Courts, professional conferences and health professionals. She trains mental health and legal professionals to work effectively with their multicultural clients through the use of an interpreter. She presents workshops on a variety of topics, including effective communication, cross-cultural awareness and technical issues relating to interpreting and translation. She served on the California Federation of Interpreters Board of Directors as the Director of Professional Director of the Northern Division and currently is a member of the faculty of San Francisco State University's Court Interpreting Program.Alejandra is an active and committed student who incorporates her learning of yoga philosophy, meditation, and non-violent communication in her work. At present she is a 2012 candidate for a Masters in Transformative Leadership Graduate at the California Institute of Integral Studies.
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Calendar

Upcoming Events
Past Events

Upcoming Events Upcoming Events 2012January 20Transforming the Way We Communicate Workshop for Graduate StudentsCalifornia Institute of Integral StudiesSchool of TransformationPacifica, CaliforniaFebruary 1- 22Transforming the Way We Communicate Four-week seriesSan Francisco, CaliforniaFebruary 24Working Effectively with Court InterpretersSan Mateo County Health System - Behavioral HealthSan Mateo, CaliforniaFebruary 29 - March 21Transforming the Way We Communicate Four-week seriesSan Francisco, CaliforniaMarch 21 - April 18Transforming the Way We Communicate Four-week seriesSan Francisco, CaliforniaSpring 2012Bilingual Employee Pilot (BEP) Project Interpreter TrainingSan Mateo County Health System - Behavioral HealthSan Mateo, CaliforniaJune 7 - 8Working Effectively with Court InterpretersPracticing Cultural HumilityPathways to Justice ConferenceUC Hastings College of the LawSan Francisco, California
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Past Events Past Events2011February 24 Working Effectively with InterpretersSan Mateo County Health System - Behavioral HealthSan Mateo, CaliforniaMarch 10Working Effectively with InterpretersSan Mateo County Health System - Behavioral HealthSan Mateo, CaliforniaApril 20Working Effectively with InterpretersSan Mateo County Health System - Behavioral HealthSan Mateo, CaliforniaJune 6 - August 1Introduction to Court InterpretingSan Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco, CaliforniaJune 8-10Court Interpreters 101: Understanding the Role of Court InterpretersTransforming the Way We CommunicateWorking with Spanish Speakers in the Mediation ProcessCultural HumilityCalifornia Conference on Self-Represented LitigantsSan Francisco, CaliforniaSeptember 2Working Effectively with InterpretersSan Mateo County Health System - Behavioral HealthSan Mateo, CaliforniaOctober 23Transforming the Way We CommunicateOpen Space TechnologyCalifornia Federation of Interpreters (CFI) Annual Professional Development ConferenceSan Francisco, CaliforniaDecember 15Cultural Humility: Working in Partnership with our Multicultural Court UsersBeyond the Bench ConferenceSan Francisco, California2010April 24Interpreters as Cultural BrokersConference for JournalistsSan Francisco, CaliforniaMay 3Working Effectively with InterpretersSan Mateo County Health System - Behavioral HealthSan Mateo, CaliforniaMay 16Transforming the Way We Communicate: Effective Communication Skills to Prevent and Solve ConflictsNational Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators (NAJIT) annual continuing education conferenceOrlando, FloridaJune 17Working Effectively with InterpretersSan Mateo County Health System - Behavioral HealthSan Mateo, CaliforniaJuly 23Transforming the Way We Communicate: Effective Communication Skills to Prevent and Solve ConflictsDepartment of Justice Immigration Court Interpreters Annual ConferenceWashington, DCAugust 19Working Effectively with InterpretersSan Mateo County Health System - Behavioral HealthSan Mateo, CaliforniaOctober 8-10Transforming the Way We CommunicateYou are Certified, Now What?California Federation of Interpreters (CFI) Annual Professional Development ConferenceSanta Monica, CaliforniaOctober 27Working Effectively with InterpretersSan Mateo County Health System - Behavioral HealthSan Mateo, CaliforniaDecember 6Working Effectively with InterpretersSan Mateo County Health System - Behavioral HealthSan Mateo, California2009June 1Interpreting in the Behavioral Health SettingProfessional Health Care InterpretersAvid TranslationsSan Mateo, CaliforniaJune 3Bilingual Employee Pilot (BEP) Project Interpreter TrainingSan Mateo County Health System - Behavioral HealthSan Mateo, CaliforniaJune 10Bilingual Employee Pilot (BEP) Project Interpreter TrainingSan Mateo County Health System - Behavioral HealthSan Mateo, CaliforniaAugust 12Bilingual Employee Pilot (BEP) Project Interpreter Follow-Up Training San Mateo County Health System - Behavioral HealthSan Mateo, California
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Testimonials

Partial Client List

American Civil Liberties Union

All Global International Solutions

Avid Translation

Bridge Housing

Boston Public Schools

California Department of Health Services

Chavez & Gertlert LLP

Cooke Kobrick & Wu LLP

Domestic Bank of Rhode Island

Excel Academy

Fair Trade

First District Appellate Project

Institute for Responsive Education

Medford Public Schools (Massachusetts)

Minami Tamaki LLP

Northeastern University

O'Melveny & Myers LLP

Policy Link

San Francisco Public Defender

San Mateo Superior Court

University of California, School of Nursing

University of Massachusetts (Amherst)

University of Cincinnati

Womens Institute for Leadership and Development

Xoom Corporation

"I have used Ms. Siroka to translate letters and interpret a client conference, and each time, she was easy to deal with, and her work was excellent. She even helped to improve letters I sent to an impaired client. I recommend her highly."Richard Neuhoff, Esq.
Resources

Resources

Recommended ReadingRosenberg, Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life. Puddledancer Press, 2003Lasater I., Words That Work in Business: A Practical Guide to Effective Communication in the Workplace. Puddledancer Press, 2010Afiliations & Professional OrganizationsAmerican Translators Association: http://www.atanet.orgNational Association of Judicial Interpreters: http://www.najit.orgCalifornia Federation of Interpreters: http://www.calinterpreters.orgNorthern California Translators Association: http://www.ncta.orgCalifornia Courts/CIP: http://www.courts.ca.gov/3796.htmOther LinksCenter for Nonviolent Communication: http://www.cnvc.orgBay Area Nonviolent Communication: http://www.baynvc.org/index.phpWeb & Graphic Design: http://www.thaisharris.com

Photo Credits: Roberto Zingales, Nick Sholley, and Thais Harris

Contact

Contact

LocationSan Francisco, CA Telephone415.404.9355

TMTransforming the Way We CommunicateLanguage Alchemy Copyright 2011 Web Design by Thais Harris