Using an interpreter during a Parent and Teacher meeting

Guidance for teachers on using an interpreter in parent-teacher conferences with non-English-speaking parents, covering interpreter roles, the code of ethics, seating, and communication tips.

Key Takeaways

Professional interpreters, not students or ad hoc helpers, should be used in parent-teacher conferences.
Interpreters must follow a strict code of ethics emphasizing accuracy, confidentiality, and neutrality.
Opening with positive feedback and preparing the interpreter in advance improve conference outcomes.

What the video covers

Effective school-home communication supports student learning, and parent-teacher conferences are a key vehicle for it.
Communicating with non-English-speaking parents requires a professional interpreter, distinguished from a translator (text).
Typical conference participants include the general education teacher, parents, and sometimes the student, ELL teacher, principal, or counselor.
The interpreter's code of ethics stresses accuracy, confidentiality, neutrality, cultural sensitivity, professionalism, and proficiency.
Interpreters must not counsel, advise, omit, add to, or express personal opinions during interpretation.
Interpreters must notify the parties and offer to withdraw if they doubt their competency, without fear of retaliation.
Teachers and non-English-speaking parents often have different goals; many parents prioritize appearance, nourishment, and good behavior.
Begin the conference with positive information, such as complimenting the parent on a positive aspect of the child's behavior.
Seat arrangements should face the parent, with the interpreter slightly behind; the interpreter is not a participant.
Brief the interpreter beforehand on topics and test terminology, avoid using students as interpreters, and watch for signs of miscommunication.

Chapters

What is the difference between an interpreter and a translator according to the video?

An interpreter orally converts spoken words from one language to another, while a translator converts written text into another language. The video focuses on the interpreter's role in live conference settings.

Who usually participates in a parent-teacher conference with an interpreter?

Usually the student's general education teacher, the parents, and sometimes the student. The ELL teacher, principal, or school counselor may be invited if the parent requests it or if it helps the student's academic success.

What should a teacher do at the start of a conference with a non-English-speaking parent?

Begin with positive information, such as complimenting the parent on their influence in a positive area of the child's behavior. The teacher should also introduce the interpreter and clarify roles and expectations.

Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown

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The transcript as pasted is a single block of text with no line breaks, so I cannot preserve a one-to-one line structure with the original segments. I have edited it as continuous prose, keeping the content and wording as close to the original as possible.

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doesn't speak English can be challenging you'll need to use an interpreter throughout this video you will learn some valuable tips on how to communicate successfully to a non-english-speaking parent through an interpreter usually the participants at a parent teacher conference are the

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[Music] When parents are supportive of their child's education, learning is improved. Meaningful school-home communication is essential. In order for parents to support their child's learning, parent-teacher conferences are a valuable way to accomplish the communication goal. However, communication to a parent that doesn't speak English can be challenging. You'll need to use an interpreter. Throughout this video, you will learn some valuable tips on how to communicate successfully to a non-English-speaking parent through an interpreter.

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success interpreter a person who orally conver converts the spoken word from one language to another translator a person who converts a text to another language in this video we will discuss the role of The Interpreter interpreter's professional conduct and code of ethics

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Usually, the participants at a parent-teacher conference are the student's general education teacher, parents, and sometimes the student. Occasionally, the ELL teacher, the principal, and the school counselor could be invited to participate if the parent requests it or if it is needed in helping the student achieve academic success.

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the source language message interpreters shall not counsel give advice omit add anything or Express Personal opinions to an individual for whom they are interpreting cultural sensitivity interpreters shall be culturally competent sensitive and respectful of the individuals they serve

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Interpreter: a person who orally converts the spoken word from one language to another. Translator: a person who converts a text to another language.

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situation they shall develop their skills and knowledge through professional training continuing education and interaction with colleagues and specialists in related fields neutrality interpreters shall always be neutral imp partial and unbiased they shall not discriminate on the basis of

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In this video, we will discuss the role of the interpreter, interpreter's professional conduct, and code of ethics. Let's consider the code of ethics of an interpreter. The code of ethics stresses confidentiality, impartiality, discretion, and professional distance. Trained interpreters abide by this code of ethics.

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if an interpreter has any reservation ations about their competency in any assignment they must immediately notify the parties and offer to withdraw their services without fear of retaliation from anyone involved the first step toward successful communication is the

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Accuracy: Interpreters shall always thoroughly and faithfully conserve the tone, spirit, and meaning of the source-language message. Interpreters shall not counsel, give advice, omit, add anything, or express personal opinions to an individual for whom they are interpreting.

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child is respectful mannerly and well behaved when starting the conference remember to begin with positive information compliment the parent for their influence in a positive area of their child's Behavior thank you for coming today graas I'd like to begin by telling you

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Cultural sensitivity: Interpreters shall be culturally competent, sensitive, and respectful of the individuals they serve.

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use The Interpreter may use this moment also to ask questions and clarify roles and expectations hello my name is Alexandra Shan I'm your Spanish interpreter I will be interpreting everything you say and I would like to ask you that every two

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Confidentiality: Interpreters do not divulge any information obtained through their assignments. This includes not discussing or reporting any matter in which they are or have been engaged.

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those concerns is reading and the other is math okay in Reading I'm going to be discussing his Dibbles scores and what is dibles dibles is a fluency test that we give here at school okay in math I'm going to be talking about his

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Professionalism: Interpreters need to be punctual, prepared, and dressed in a manner that is appropriate for the situation. They shall develop their skills and knowledge through professional training, continuing education, and interaction with colleagues and specialists in related fields.

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it simple some words do not translate meaning by meaning use standard vocabulary every week or so we give a dynamic indicators of basic early literacy skills test scribbles test oh no a dibles test oh no examine dibles a dibl test

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Neutrality: Interpreters shall always be neutral, impartial, and unbiased. They shall not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, disability, race, color, or national origin. This also includes socioeconomic or educational status and religious or political beliefs.

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at the parent not The Interpreter seating arrangements arrange seating so that you are facing the parent have The Interpreter sit slightly behind the parent or you remember Remember The Interpreter is not a participant he is your voice Pace be

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Proficiency: Interpreters shall ask for clarification of concepts, words, and meaning as needed. Interpreters shall also evaluate their ability to interpret. If an interpreter has any reservations about their competency in any assignment, they must immediately notify the parties and offer to withdraw their services without fear of retaliation from anyone involved.

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princi actually seen a lot of Def behavor thank you for coming okay I'd like to introduce you to our principal Mrs [Music] Layman lman and to our counselor Mr BN mrman we have some concerns about Ro's behavior in

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The first step toward successful communication is the understanding that the goals of a teacher and those of the non-English-speaking parent often differ. Often, parents from other cultures, when sending their child to school, believe their main responsibility is that the child is well-dressed, fed, respectful, mannerly, and well-behaved.

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at a recess debrief this is an opportunity to briefly discuss areas of improvement what worked what should we do differently next time celebrate success and provide positive feedback additional tips for Success do not let students be the interpreters it is very important that

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When starting the conference, remember to begin with positive information. Compliment the parent for their influence in a positive area of their child's behavior. "Thank you for coming today. Gracias. I'd like to begin by telling you how wonderful the student, Ro, is."

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like to talk to you about his math I'm afraid he's failing okay oh um he could use some extra help in math he could use some tutoring maybe after school tutoring she says that's fine oh well okay good

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With this in mind, let's examine some steps for successful communication:

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the interpretation be perceptive in picking up clues that indicate miscommunication for example excessive words in proportion of what was said a response from the parent that does not coincide with the original question or changes in facial expression a parent teacher conference

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Briefly discuss with the interpreter the main topic that will be discussed at the meeting. Share with the interpreter background information on test or academic terminology you will use. The interpreter may use this moment also to ask questions and clarify roles and expectations.

Topics:parent-teacher conferenceinterpreterELLEnglish language learnersschool-home communicationcode of ethicscultural sensitivityeducationtranslation

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