Consecutive interpreting involves translating a speech after the speaker has concluded it, or part of it. While the speaker is speaking, the interpreter takes notes, then translates the speech afterwards for the other participants. In practice, the speaker goes on for about five to ten minutes, then stops and passes the floor to the interpreter, who translates aloud.

The interpreter takes notes of the entire core of the message using a method of symbols and abbreviations that stand for not just the individual words, but the abstract meaning of the speech. This technique allows the interpreter to repeat all the meaning and nuance of the speech.

This type of interpreting is particularly recommended for speeches that last only a few hours and for an audience consisting of only two distinct language groups. Consecutive interpreting is the perfect solution when several speakers who speak different languages take turns during a conference and each gives a speech lasting half an hour to an hour, to an audience who all speak the same language.

The advantage of this method is that it does not require any special equipment (there's no need to set up a soundproof booth for the interpreter), but it does have the disadvantage of doubling the length of the speech, as once the speaker has spoken, the interpreter will have to repeat it in the target language.