ELL Support
"Say Hi" App for Translation Support
The population of ELL students we are getting in our district is ever-growing. I would be remiss if I did not advocate for an application that I believe can truly help you and the students we work with. Technology has become critically necessary and helpful for translation support.
Say Hi Translate is not just another "Google Translate. " It is an application that allows two people to have a conversation back and forth in their native language.
You can have a conversation in two different languages and still understand each other. You can also type if preferred. You simply tap and start speaking. It's free, and I think worth having on your phone.
Just yesterday alone, I showed this to a teacher who was trying to help facilitate group work from one peer to another while also helping clarify his own directions. This also helped last night at an adult ESL class. I was able to project the Say Hi App and have the audio translation play and project to the screen to help support their understanding.
Bonus: If you click on the three lines on the app, you'll see the function to use the camera to translate a print document as well (just like the Google Translate app).
Translating Websites into Different Languages Instantly
If you have an ELL student now, or if you have one in the future, this tip is worth knowing. I already shared this information with a few teachers already, but I think it's valuable to keep in mind for all. Without installing anything at all, you can have a website a student is viewing (including something you made, such as a Google Form) be translated with two clicks. To translate any website, right-click on the website and then click "Translate" and then select the language.
Bonus: Because any website can be translated, that mans you can have a Google Form test you're giving turn into Spanish (or another language).
TalkingPoints for Ease of Communication Translation with Families
We have an ever-growing population of EL students in our district, and communicating with their families can present a challenge. This tip is good to remember for future reference or if you currently have some EL student(s). Consider creating an account on TalkingPoints so you can communicate and have your messages automatically translated from you to the family's native language. When they respond, they can write in their native language and have it naturally translated back to you to communicate effectively and efficiently.