INTERPRETING SERVICES

The English Language Acquisition Department’s Bilingual Interpreter Services provides interpreters to schools and district offices to assist in communicating with the district’s limited English proficient (LEP) population.  These services include, but are not limited to, parent/teacher conferences, large venue events and telephone communication.

Conferences:  Requests for interpreters for general conferences should be made directly to the bilingual interpreter coordinator via e-mail or fax detailing type of conference, date and time of conference, participants, student name and grade, parents’ names, contact person and telephone number.  (Interpreter Request Form) Download

Elementary Parent/Teacher Conference Weeks:  Detailed schedules should be submitted as early as possible to secure availability of interpreters.  There are a limited number of district interpreters and requests will be handled on a first requested, first served basis. An Interpreter Needs Assessment (Parent Survey form) has been provided should you choose to do a needs assessment for your school site regarding the needs of parents for interpreting assistance. (Parent Survey Form) Download

Large Venue events:  Requests should be made by fax or e-mail detailing type of event, date and time of event, location, presenter information, estimate of number of attendees needing interpreting services, contact person and telephone number.  Any presentation information (power points, handouts, etc) should be made available to the Bilingual Interpreter Coordinator. (Large Venue Interpreter Request) Download.

Language Line Service:   Informational presentations and training for the Language Line Service should be requested through the Bilingual Interpreter Coordinator.

Interpreter Training:  Training is provided for district employees wanting to interpret before or after their regular work hours.  Interested individuals attending training will be tested for fluency in both languages, review guidelines pertaining to interpreting, and receive support material.  The trained interpreters are then placed in a data base as district interpreters. These interpreters are primarily utilized in large venue simultaneous interpretation events.

Questions and concerns regarding the Language Line Service, conferences, large venue events, interpreting equipment check out, or interpreter training should be directed to the Bilingual Interpreter Coordinator at (480) 308-7512 or via e-mail at gherrera@mpsaz.org.