One of the most frustrating things I have to overcome is the language barrier when students have not yet learned English. I downloaded the iTranslate application to my iPhone to see if it could help. I typed in "My Spanish is bad please speak slowly and simply." The application responded with "mi espanol es malo por favor, habla despacio y simplemente." Now I have to memorize that and remember to say it when I am trying to teach a student who does not understand English. I can also pull out my iPhone, turn on iTranslate and use it to communicate with the student. This breaks my districts "no cell phone in the classroom policy" but it follows my principal's "take care of kids" philosophy. I think I will just do what is best for the student by using iTranslate to help when needed and face the consequences of using a cell phone in class.
The most interesting thing about iTranslate is the vast array of languages that it translates. On a side note, I get tired of hearing students curse and decided to translate the word frustrated into different languages. In Icelandic "frustrated" is "svekktur." Now if I could get students to start saying "svekktur" when they are frustrated instead of curse words, that might bring happiness to many teachers and administrators. It would also do a better job of conveying their feelings and need for help than a string of curse words.
Wow, iTranslate sounds like a great technology tool to use! I didn't even know there was such an thing. I think your idea to use this app is great because it is one more way to help students and teachers work through the language barrier.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this information about iTranslate. I am going to go to the app store and get this. I have lots of band students whose parents speak little to no English. This could be very helpful for me when I'm trying to communicate to them about instrument rentals and stuff.
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