Access to language services is more important than ever during COVID-19 restrictions
Since the announcement of early school closures for Victorian schools from 24th March 2020, schools have been working hard to keep parents informed about changes to normal school procedures and Department updates. Teachers have also been working on “Learning at Home” programs to support the child’s learning remotely and minimise the impact on the child’s learning.
To keep the virtual school community up to date with school matters and developments, including families from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, LanguageLoop knows how crucial it is for teachers to be able to communicate with families during this time. Parents will need to be aware of the school’s new virtual program to support their child’s remote learning and have the ability to contact and communicate with the school with language support as required.
LanguageLoop has been collaborating with the Department of Education and Training Victoria (DET) to update their guidelines and provide additional ways to support families whose students are continuing their education from home this term. The Department’s new guidelines enable schools to provide a greater range of translated support material including communications to parents, learning packs, health and wellbeing information, as well as DET-wide strategic advice on remote learning. With many parents concerned about their child’s new virtual education, LanguageLoop also provides telephone and video interpreting services where teachers can speak directly to the CALD parent by phone or video with the help of an interpreter. This way we can ensure that language is not a barrier for parents during this unprecedented time.
Victorian based, Blackburn English Language School, recently used LanguageLoop to translate their studying-at-home information packs to ensure equal accessibility for all their students. A spokesperson from the Blackburn English Language School confirmed how crucial language services are during these trying times.
“LanguageLoop’s speedy translations of our student and parent studying-at-home information is very much appreciated. I was not expecting to receive them so quickly and it will really help our students maintain their English studies next term if they are unable to attend face-to-face classes.”
LanguageLoop’s network of 3,000+ interpreters, speaking over 180 languages enables schools across Australia to connect with all students and their families in any language – anywhere, anytime. As Australia’s only full service provider, LanguageLoop wants to ensure that no child or family from a CALD background is disadvantaged. To enquire how LanguageLoop can assist your school, or for any further information about language services please click here.
About LanguageLoop
LanguageLoop is Australia’s leading language services business and only full-service language provider. LanguageLoop’s extensive network of over 3,000 interpreters and translators speak over 180 languages. With over 40 years’ experience, LanguageLoop is trusted by Australia’s state and federal governments and leading brands including AGL, Energy Australia, The Westpac Group, IAG and others. Every year, LanguageLoop helps organisations connect with over 500,000 non-English speakers though its extensive range of services including on-site, telephone and on-demand video interpreting, translations, 24/7 multilingual chat bots and other digital language solutions. For more information visit languageloop.com.au.
