Classroom Interpreters - Interpreters and Children - Evaluating an Interpreted Education

Look Beyond Classroom Content

When evaluating an interpreted placement, it is essential to look beyond the academic content. Social interaction, friends, discussions with peers, and access to the entire classroom are also essential features in our educational system. Deaf and hard of hearing students need to be authentic members of the classroom, being able to:

• Participate in classroom discussions
• Participate in a range of social interactions
• Understand how to use an interpreter to access conversations
• Engage in negotiation, debate, encouragement, and other forms of complex discourse
• Discuss course content with teachers and peers
• Know who the other students in the class are, their personalities and preferences