Abstract/Resume I. Introduction II. The Interpretive Theory of Translation (ITT) and the ESIT/AIIC model of interpreter training III. The XiaDa Model for interpreting and interpreter training IV. Interpreting and context: the Chinese case 4.1 Macro-historical context 4.2 Micro-linguistic context 4.3 Teaching-learning process context V. Assessing the suitability of the ESIT/AIIC and XiaDa training models for the Chinese context 5.1 ESIT/AIIC 5.2 XiaDa 5.3 Strengths of the XiaDa 5.4 Weaknesses of the XiaDa VI. Conclusion REFERENCES