Communicating in Languages Other Than English

Video on Communicating in Languages Other Than English

West Des Moines Community Schools wants to make sure families understand important information. We have a team of bilingual family liaisons and substitute interpreters who can help. We also work with community groups, and we use a phone service called RTT ELSA that offers over 180 languages.

Our main focus is on interpretation, which means talking in different languages. This helps families ask questions, understand information, and connect with people in our school district. It also empowers families to speak up for their children and be involved in their education.

Translation is another way we help. It means turning written information from one language into another.

Helping students and parents who speak languages other than English is crucial in our partnership with families to get all students ready for future opportunities in learning, careers, and life.

Interpretation/Translation Resources

Interpretation Guide

Translation Request

Overview

Our Multilingual Family Engagement Specialist team can help translate important information, like flyers and announcements, but their availability is limited. For some translations, you can use resources like TransACT. Before asking for translation, think about whether it's better to interpret (talk) or translate (write), and how long the information will be useful.

We're here to help make your messages clear for families, so they know what to do.

Things to Consider By Requesting Translation

Many families prefer talking face-to-face instead of reading translated papers.
During meetings or conferences, we can use interpreters to explain written documents in English, so families can ask questions.
Not all parents can read well or had school in their language.
A quick call or text might work better.
We can also use social media or videos to share info clearly.
Translating can be expensive, and dates on papers can become outdated.
Using template documents or TransACT can be cheaper.

If we need to translate, we'll keep it simple and easy to understand.

How to Request Translation

Multilingual Family Engagement Specialists

The WDMCS Multilingual Family Engagement team helps diverse students and families be strong members of our school community. They support families in understanding and using school and community resources. They work to make sure everyone, no matter their language or background, can advocate for their child's education and be ready for their life journey.