Nearly 500 volunteer interpreters for visiting FISU officials, athletes and VIP guests during the Universiade started training at Shenzhen Polytechnic Monday, August 1st.

The 478 interpreters were finalists after three selections at Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and South China Normal University.

Some were interpreters during the Beijing Olympics, Shanghai Expo and Guangzhou Asiad, according to the Universiade Volunteer Service Command Headquarters.

The training course includes foreign affairs, English, religion, safety, health, reception, teamwork and physical strength.

The students will provide interpretation services in French, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean and Arabic languages.

French is spoken by 118 interpreters and there are 20 who speak Arabic languages. They will mainly be on duty at the athletes’ village while the rest will be assigned to sports venues in six districts.

They were the first volunteers to come from outside Shenzhen.