Imagine a 9-year-old arriving in the US with no knowledge of English, facing the challenge of attending a new school surrounded by native speakers. In this environment, everything from instruction to social interactions is conducted in a language they don’t understand.
In an ever-globalizing world, more and more people arrive in the US seeking better opportunities and a new life. Some of these newcomers had no access to education in their home countries, and now they must navigate significant language barriers in the American school system.
The Role of Educational Interpreters
Educational interpreters play a crucial role in bridging language barriers and facilitating communication between two languages to ensure students have full access to their teachers and classmates.
While we often associate educational interpreters with facilitating communication between spoken languages like English and sign languages such as American Sign Language (ASL) for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students, it’s important to recognize that interpreters also work between multiple spoken languages as well.
Surprisingly, this practice has not yet been standardized in the American school system.
Bilingual School Staff vs. Educational Interpreters
I have personally witnessed both the joys and misconceptions surrounding classroom interpreting. It’s deeply meaningful work to facilitate communication and enable the educational process, witnessing students grow each day. Yet, even within school administrations, there is significant confusion regarding the distinctions between the roles of educational interpreters and bilingual staff.
In 2023, I was hired as a bilingual substitute teacher at a school in Chicago. When I arrived, the principal assigned me a 4th-grade student and told me to be his shadow. Initially, I found myself uncertain about my responsibilities. It became apparent that the administration was seeking an educational interpreter rather than a bilingual substitute teacher.
My role involved acting as a whisperer, interpreting everything the teacher said from English to Spanish, as the teacher did not speak Spanish and the student had recently arrived in the US with no understanding of English.
Additionally, all educational materials, such as textbooks, presentations, reading materials, and worksheets, were in English. Therefore, one of my primary tasks was to ensure that the 4th-grader understood what to do and how to do it.
Fortunately, my background suited the assigned tasks. With training in translation and consecutive interpreting, along with a BA in Translation and Interpreting, I felt confident in my ability to provide communication access for my Spanish-speaking student.
However, I couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened if the subbing agency hadn’t hired a bilingual teacher with my credentials.
Bilingual and multilingual staff possess proficiency in multiple languages and may also have the capacity to write and translate in those languages, although this is not always the case. Typically, bilingual staff lack formal training in translation or interpretation.
In contrast, interpreters undergo extensive training, including best practices for interpreting and translation, as well as specialized training relevant to their chosen fields, whether educational, legal, or medical.
Are bilingual staff members an asset to the school system? Absolutely! They can communicate directly with families in their native languages and serve as essential points of access, such as liaising with the front office.
However, educational interpreters should be specifically utilized in the following settings:
- Facilitating communication between students and teachers i.e. shadowing students
- Facilitating the translation of educational materials for students
- Facilitating communication at workshops and events that are presented in English
- Situations that require an unbiased party
- Parent-teacher conferences
- Disciplinary situations
- IEP meetings
The Importance of Hiring Educational Interpreters
Every student deserves complete access to receiving education. Utilizing interpreting services is essential for kids simultaneously adapting to a new school system, language, and culture. Schools greatly benefit from hiring educational interpreters for LEP (limited English proficiency) students as it guarantees uninterrupted access to interpreting services for every student in need, every day.
A common challenge I encountered in my tenure as a “bilingual substitute teacher,” was scheduling issues. Simply, I couldn’t be in two places at the same time. Mornings were dedicated to shadowing my 4th-grade student, while afternoons often involved assisting a 5th-grade student.
One particular school day, the principal assigned me to assist an 8th-grade student who had recently arrived from Venezuela and didn’t speak any English. Regrettably, this left the 4th and 5th-grade students without services for the entire day. The presence of educational interpreters on the school roster could have easily prevented this situation.
Improving the Future of LEP Students’ Education
The National Education Association (NEA) reports by 2025, 1 out of 4 children across the nation will be an English language learner (ELL) student. At Inclusion Communication Services (ICS), we believe the journey from LEP (Limited English Proficient) to ELL (English Language Learner) begins with interpreters specifically trained for the educational field.
For teachers or educators, advocate your administration that a professional interpreter will benefit your students in creating a strong foundational connection between their native language and English. Another wonderful resource is the NEA’s advocacy guide, “All In! How Educators Can Advocate for English Language Learners.”
For LEP parents or guardians who have worked tirelessly to ensure their child’s access to education, it is crucial to be aware of your rights regarding communication with school administration. This fact sheet, available in both English and Spanish, answers common questions about the rights of parents and guardians who do not speak, listen, read, or write English proficiently because it is not their primary language.
At ICS, we understand the necessity for improved access to education for Limited English Proficient (LEP) students. Drawing on my experience as a professional interpreter and translator in classroom settings, I offer my expertise as an additional resource for you. Schedule a chat with me for assistance. Your advocacy now has the power to shape all the years to come for your student or child.
