Colleges and universities stand as pillars of diversity. Modern classrooms host students from different cultural backgrounds, and this remarkable development takes us a step closer to an interconnected world. But while cultural diversity holds much promise, there’s no ignoring the fact that language barriers can pose significant challenges for students (and their family members) who are limited-English proficient (LEP).
Educators and college administrators must proactively take steps to build an inclusive learning environment. In addition to language development programs, there are other innovative ways college administrators can bridge the language gap inside and outside the classroom. Considering that colleges and universities are known to host events regularly, remote simultaneous interpretation (RSI) has emerged as a powerful tool to overcome linguistic barriers in the collegiate setting.
3 Multilingual College Events that Remote Simultaneous Interpretation Can Support
For colleges and universities that have a diverse student population, it’s only natural that there are school events with multilingual participants. If you want to take your multilingual events up a notch, acquiring interpretation services such as RSI is one of the best ways to promote inclusivity and engagement. From academic conferences to graduations, here are some college events where RSI can make a significant difference:
1. Academic Conferences
Academic conferences (whether remote, hybrid, or on-site) can become more dynamic with RSI. Including RSI in seminars and conferences will remove linguistic gaps and allow all participants to join the event in their preferred language. Whether they’re listening in to a guest speaker or attending their professor’s presentation, implementing RSI will improve the engagement and overall learning experience of students.
2. Orientations for Exchange and International Students
Universities that regularly host exchange students have a ton to benefit from RSI. Navigating through a new academic environment can be a challenging experience for any student, especially those who aren’t as well-versed in English. In this case, RSI can ease the transition for foreign students by allowing them to engage in orientations and other important events in the language they’re most comfortable with.
3. Graduations
Graduation is a big milestone for both students and their loved ones. For universities that have a diverse student population, it’s very likely that a significant number of students have family members who are limited English proficient. Implementing RSI at graduation will ensure that their loved ones can celebrate this achievement fully.
5 Tips for Implementing Remote Interpretation at Your Multilingual College Events
If you have a multilingual event coming up, you’ll need to make the necessary preparations to maximize the benefits of event interpretation and simultaneous translation. Whether your event is on-site or remote, here are some proven tips for implementing RSI:
1. Choose a provider that offers comprehensive technical support
If you’re hosting an online or hybrid event, it’s important to choose a virtual event platform that comes with comprehensive technical support. Technical errors are the last thing you would want in these types of setups, so having a provider that has open support lines will ensure that interruptions are avoided or quickly resolved. For starters, solutions like Boostlingo Events provide world-class customer support whether it’s for a small online meeting or a large-scale event!
2. Assess the language needs of your event
To identify the languages you’ll require, take some time to look at the demographics of your participants. Let’s say you’re hosting a webinar for a particular college, checking out school enrollment statistics will allow you to determine which languages will most likely be in demand for your event.
3. Train event organizers on your chosen RSI platform
Once you’ve chosen your RSI platform, make sure that event staff can navigate through the program easily. Proper training ensures that they can manage language channels, troubleshoot technical issues, and help participants use the platform during the event. Having a dry run of the event is highly recommended since it will allow organizers to have an idea of the potential setbacks they may encounter.
4. Designate a language coordinator
Assigning a dedicated language coordinator can make all the difference from poor to great coordination. The person you assign will act as a central point of contact for interpreters, event organizers, and participants and oversee the interpretation process from planning to execution. Delegating this role effectively will streamline communication and enhance the impact of RSI at your events.
5. Communicate interpretation options for participants
Before the event begins, let your participants know that language support is available. Whether through an email blast or a video on loop, provide detailed instructions on how they can access and navigate the language support channels. A simple reminder or memo will significantly reduce the number of instances where you’ll have to support an attendee. By proactively communicating interpretation options, colleges empower participants to fully engage in the event regardless of their language proficiency.
Bridging The Language Gap in Classrooms
In a world that’s getting smaller by the day, colleges and universities will continue to serve as cultural melting pots. Cultural diversity will open new and exciting opportunities for students and educators making it necessary for school administrators to build an inclusive learning environment. By acquiring interpretation services such as remote simultaneous interpretation, universities can host multilingual events with ease.
If you’re looking for a simultaneous interpretation platform, look no further than Boostlingo Events! Our platform will make sure that your virtual, on-site, and hybrid events are multilingual across all touch points. Make sure to visit the Boostlingo Events page to learn more!
