Parent-teacher conferences can be nerve-wracking for parents and teachers, even under the best circumstances. Now, imagine trying to discuss your child’s progress but feeling lost because the conversation is in a language you don’t fully understand. For many non-English-speaking parents, this is a familiar reality, adding another layer of stress to an already challenging experience.
Without language services, it’s easy for parents to feel disconnected from their child’s learning, and teachers can miss out on insights that only families can provide. When schools bridge these language gaps with translation and interpretation services, it gives way to creating meaningful partnerships between parents and teachers. Language services also help you fully comply with federal and state language access laws.
How to Communicate with Parents Who Don’t Speak English
For families who speak different languages, staying involved in their child’s education can be challenging, but language services help them stay in tune. In a study published by Harvard’s Family Research Project, schools that provided targeted language support, including professional interpreters, saw a 50% increase in parent participation in school activities. This led to improved academics for students, particularly in reading comprehension and math.
Translation services play an equally important role. Teachers can send pre-conference forms translated into parents’ native languages so that parents can prepare for discussions on key areas—like academic performance, challenges, and goals—before the meeting. Resources like these help parents think through questions they may want to ask, making the most of their time with teachers. According to Teaching Exceptional Kinders, this simple step of sending forms allows parents to approach meetings confidently and have a voice in their child’s educational journey.
Interpreting Services for Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences are a good time to use professional interpreting services because of the detailed conversations about a child’s progress. While schools with limited budgets may turn to untrained bilingual staff or even students for interpreting, this can create challenges and is illegal. Professional interpreters are trained to handle sensitive topics with neutrality and follow a code of ethics, areas where bilingual staff need to be trained before they can help. Additionally, asking students to interpret is illegal and can place them in uncomfortable and inappropriate situations.
Video Remote Interpretation (VRI) offers an affordable option for schools during parent-teacher conferences. It provides the personal connection of a face-to-face conversation without the hassle or cost of bringing an interpreter on-site. Schools also have other language interpreting options to meet their needs.
Here are some differences between interpretation services:
- In-Person Interpretation – In-person interpretation is often the best solution and is ideal when on-site resources are available.
- Over-the-Phone Interpretation (OPI) – A practical choice for quick or unexpected conversations. It’s supported by 300+ languages, helping educators easily check in with parents across multiple languages.
- Remote Simultaneous Interpreting (RSI) – For larger group events, like back-to-school nights, RSI provides simultaneous interpretation, making sure no one misses key information.
- Video Remote Interpretation (VRI) – Perfect for virtual or hybrid meetings, VRI allows for real-time visual context and can help build trust.
Translating Parent-Teacher Documents
Translating parent-teacher conference forms allows parents to review discussion topics in advance. This allows parents to think of questions they may want to ask and concerns they might want to bring up and fully participate in parent-teacher conferences.
Other translated documents, such as progress updates, report cards, or newsletters, keep parents informed about their child’s achievements, challenges, and upcoming school events.
Interpretation Services at Las Cruces Public Schools
Las Cruces Public Schools faced a challenge when an influx of families who spoke little or no English joined their district. While they had an interpreting program for Spanish, the new families spoke languages like Korean and Pashto. The district turned to Boostlingo’s on-demand interpreting services to bridge the gap. This allowed them to connect with remote interpreters during parent-teacher conferences and other meaningful conversations, helping families feel welcomed and understood.
Parents felt more involved in their children’s education, children no longer had to act as interpreters, and teachers and staff were more satisfied with the support. Language Interpretation created a stronger connection between families and the school.
Read the full case study with Las Cruces Public Schools.
Language Services for Schools
Language barriers shouldn’t stand in the way of students receiving a quality education. Boostlingo’s on-demand interpreting and translation services help you support teachers in communicating with parents who speak different languages. With fast and reliable access to professional interpreters, Boostlingo ensures everyone stays connected.
Ready to learn how Boostlingo can support your school? Schedule a demo today!
