Download resource

Please enter your details to download this resource
Login
 

Enter your details to access this video

Or if you already have an account login to watch the video (if you don't you can register here).
Login
Author: Anita Bamberger, EAL specialist

The lack of a common language between children can be frustrating so we often assign buddies who have a common language to help our learners. Someone who speaks the same language can help the new student feel less alienated by speaking the same language and recounting what is being said and explaining what is happening. Students are often used as interpreters in schools. However, as with any translation, it can result in unintentionally misinterpretation.

Interpreting is a difficult skill. Although they find it easy to interpret for classroom language, they understandably often struggle to translate academic content that demands more complex concepts and subject specific vocabulary.

How can we help our young interpreters?
Firstly, they need some guidance. Perhaps you have a learning mentor, EAL or class teacher or school council leader who will take on the responsibility of training those buddies who are often translating.

When selecting an interpreter, consider that they will need a good short term memory to remember what was just said as well as a good long term memory to put the information given into context.

Here’s a guide for a young interpreter:
(Available to download for free by clicking on the green button)

  1. Try to be as accurate as possible, keep the meaning of what is said
  2. Try to concentrate and stay focused.
  3. Stand next to the speaker.
  4. Make eye contact with the speaker and listen carefully.
  5. Remember important facts and make notes of important points.
  6. Break up sentences into bite size pieces.
  7. Speak clearly and slowly.
  8. Be neutral, do not get emotionally involved.
  9. Be sensitive to the student's personality and needs.
  10. If you don't know a word then try to find out a different way of saying it or explain the meaning.
  11. Don't be afraid to say if you don't understand something, it is better than saying the wrong thing!
  12. Ask them to repeat if you are not sure of something.
  13. Prepare ahead if you are going to interpret something special, if it's a new topic in class you may need the vocabulary sheet from the teacher to prepare any new or difficult words and expressions.
  14. Always do your best.
  15. Keep up your language skills by watching films, reading and having conversations…. remember to make a note of new and challenging words!

More articles by this author

Bilingual world
Created: Sun 15th Apr 2018

The popularity of bilingual schools is increasing. This can be seen, for example, in the growing number of French schools in London, where the students follow a bilingual programme.

In many countries there is an emphasis on learning two languages (The Linguist, 2017). In Scotland in 2011 the government pledged to follow the European model of 1+2 languages. Every child would learn two languages in addition to their mother tongue, to celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity and thus facilitate the inclusion of other languages within the school.

film roll
Created: Fri 12th Jul 2019

When considering the Chinese language, the Chinese proverb ‘a picture paints a thousand words’ is apposite. Chinese is a complex language of symbols, strokes and pictures, where each picture can mean several words.

Images are a universal language and their power in the classroom shouldn't be underestimated. In this article we look at:

Created: Sun 11th Dec 2016

Holidays and homework seem incongruous especially for the EAL students who need to concentrate extra hard in order to understand curriculum content. It is therefore crucial that the homework is fun and rewarding, workbooks and worksheets, although pleasing to parents, may be off putting for students who may start with good intentions but then put off doing them. Generating enthusiasm and motivation are the key factors.

Keeping a diary/scrap book

Back to Blog