Interpreters

Interpreters in the classroom are a valuable tool. When they are in our classrooms, interpreters assist students' with hearing impairments and allow them to achieve educational achievements to the same extent of their peers. Interpreters are there to help us adapt our teaching delivery so that they are a part of the classroom and are able to feel like they are as well. When a classroom has an interpreter, "three people are involved in the communication experience: the interpreter, the person who is dear for hard of hearing, and the hearing person" (Gargiulo, 2006, p.459). Gargiulo (2006) states that 'the primary role of the educational interpreter is to relay to the student anything that is said in class by employing communication processes such as repetition, sign language, fingerspelling, body language, and very expressions" (p.459-460). One type of interpreter, "an oral interpreter, may be used for cochlear implant users or individuals with a great deal of residual hearing. Oral interpreters use clear enunciation, slightly slower speech, and expressive mouth and facial movements to improve the visibility of the spoken message" (Gargiulo, 2006, p.460). Interpreters can also use transliteration which Gargiulo (2006) defines as "altering an interpreted message to facilitate understanding by a person who is hearing impaired" (p.628).

[|Classroom Interpreting] is a website that is designed to help teachers who would like to know how to collaborate with an interpreter who will be working in their classroom with a student with a hearing impairment. To make the interpreter feel welcome in your classroom, the article suggests four main ideas:
 * talking about goals and expectations of the interpreter
 * provide a personal working space for your interpreter
 * include the interpreter in any meetings that you have for the student in which they are working with
 * indicate how you manage your classroom

Interpreters are in high demand, so if you have the opportunity of teaching with one in your classroom, enjoy it and make it a team effort. The following is a youtube video that gives you an inside look at how an interpreter may be a part of your classroom.

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