Motivation for some parents to come to parent teacher conferences is to learn about the grades/behavior or to meet with the teacher to connect with their child’s educator(s). However, sometimes communication becomes a bit difficult when there’s a language barrier between some teachers and parents.  

The availability of online translators or hired translators is helpful for some. However, instead of translators through phone calls or hiring translators. Why not try to turn to students to translate for parent teacher conferences?

Students could earn service credit/community hours for translating in languages they speak other than English. This involves them more in the community while also refining their second language.   

WJPS assistant principal, Mr. Petrotta said, “The problem with student to parent translation, unless it is the actual student; You’re waiving up a right without knowing everything you’re giving up because something could be mentioned that you didn’t want your peer to know.¨

Kristen Ng, a WJPS junior said, ¨Student translators are a good idea for parent teacher conferences because it’ll allow parents to understand what they’re saying and students that are in student government or in other clubs can help out.¨