Google Translate

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Google Translate:

Many of us have students who first language is not the same language we are teaching in.  I teach in the U.S. so there is not mandated national language, students may enroll in public schools without speaking the common language of English.  Although we try to teach them English as quickly and efficiently as possible these students still must also attend our core classes while still learning the lingua Franca (common language).

In art class a lot of specific directions are given both visually and verbally.  The art room has some advantage because it is so visual, so that most students can figure out what to do even if they don't fully understand the verbal directions.  However, I have that these students start their projects a little slower and take a little longer and often times miss or skip critical steps.  Up until now both students and teacher just had to deal with the frustration of a language barrier.

Now we have a new tool; Google Translate.  With this fantastic tool you type in your language and then select the language you want translated.   The program will automatically translate the written text in to the new language in a new text box.  There is also the option of having the text spoken by the computer in any language.  This means that you can past you lesson plans into the Google translate toolbox and have student select the language they want to hear the directions in.  At my neighborhood school there are over 18 different nationalities represented.  With this tool teachers could have the students come to her computer and have the directions, expectation, and/or objectives read to the student from the computer in whatever language they are most comfortable with.

Google also has it as an app which is truly amazing!  So for schools that are 1:1 students can translate on their own devices in their own language just by holding up their device and scanning the presentation being projected.   Take a look at this video to see it at work.

Access the Google Translator online text box here.
Download the Google Translator app for android here 
Download the Google Translator app for IOS here.








What to know how Google Translate works and how well it works.   Click on the video below to see how.