Translation & Interpreter Services
Translation and Interpreter Services
Note: The information on this page is for 4J staff.
- If you are a parent and you need interpreting / translation services, please contact your school.
- Students should not be used as interpreters, especially when relaying academic or behavioral information to parents.
- If you are a 4J employee, please know that we at the Communications Department have no access to Synergy and you need to complete the right form and follow instructions for your request.
- If you are a 4J bilingual staff and have the interest to serve as an in-house interpreter please fill out the: Interest to serve application
Padres de familia: Si necesitan a un intérprete, favor de contactar la escuela de su hijo/a o la oficina de aprendizaje de inglés (“ELL” en inglés).
Language Link
For parent phone calls and for times when there is no in-person interpreter available, we highly encourage the use of the “Language Link” phone service. This interpretation service can be used for face-to-face meetings as well as for phone calls home—connect with someone in minutes using a speakerphone or cell phone speaker.
Watch this short video to learn how to use the service or read the instructions below.
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Step 1: Call 1-877-764-7999
Step 2: Enter Account Number 16206, followed by # sign
Step 3: Press 2 to continue without making a third-party call
Step 4: Choose a language
- Press 1 to be connected to a Spanish interpreter
- Press 2 to be connected to a Russian interpreter
- Press 3 to be connected to a Vietnamese interpreter
- Press 4 to be connected to a Somali interpreter
- Press 9 to be connected to customer service for all other languages
Step 5: Purpose Code: Enter your school or department’s 3-digit “cost center” code followed by a # sign (your school secretary should know it)
Step 6: Enter your 6-digit employee ID number followed by a # sign
-
Step 1: Call 1-877-764-7999
Step 2: Enter Account Number 16206, followed by # sign
Step 3: Press 1 to make a third-party call
Step 4: Enter the phone number of the person you wish to call
Step 5: Choose a language
- Press 1 to be connected to a Spanish interpreter
- Press 2 to be connected to a Russian interpreter
- Press 3 to be connected to a Vietnamese interpreter
- Press 4 to be connected to a Somali interpreter
- Press 9 to be connected to customer service for all other languages
Step 6: Purpose Code: Enter your school or department’s 3-digit “cost center” code followed by a # sign (your school secretary should know it)
Step 7: Enter your 6-digit employee ID number followed by a # sign
-
Step 1: Call 1-877-764-7999
Step 2: Enter Account Number 16206, followed by # sign
Step 3: Press 2 to continue without making a third-party call
Step 4: Press 9 to be connected to customer service
Step 5: Purpose Code: Enter your school or department’s 3-digit “cost center” code followed by a # sign (your school secretary should know it)
Step 6: Enter your 6-digit employee ID number followed by a # sign
Step 7: Tell the customer service representative you need a “conference bridge.” Using the term “conference bridge” will alert the customer service representative to your needs. They will call your parent and bridge the call together with you and the interpreter.
Language Link asks that when connecting an interpreter to a conference bridge you utilize customer service representative assistance rather than their automated system to ensure the interpreter is connected on an independent line. Please be aware that interpreters connected this way will be an audio-only presence and will not have access to any streaming information such as video or chat.
Translation & Interpretation Services
Request Translation Services
For a written translation of flyers, school signs, school PowerPoint presentations to parents, Google Forms, private parent letters in any language, and any other communication between the school and parents, submit a request.
Translation services use the expertise of our interpreters in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Russian, the use of machine translation software for less common languages, and, as a last resort, Language Link.
The written translations take into consideration Localization, a broader strategy that includes translation but adds the crucial layer of cultural and technical adaptation to create a product that feels like it was created specifically for the target market. A translated text may be understandable, but a localized one feels native to the user. We want to ensure that all text and images reflect the 4J brand on equity and inclusion and are presented in a way acceptable to the specific target audience: parents, students, and monolingual personnel.
Request Interpreter Services
For an in-person interpreter, please try to submit the Request an Interpreter form with one-week in advance.
Please note: Interpretation and translation requests for IEPs, 504s, and students discipline meetings are given priority scheduling to ensure timely and meaningful engagement with families regarding thse critical student matters.
Request an Interpreter form available for:
- Spanish
- Simplified Chinese (Mandarin)
- French
- Arabic
- Korean
- Russian
- Hebrew
- Vietnamese
For any other World Language Interpreter, use the phone services by Language Link.
Request ASL Interpreter via Lane ESD. If you need further assistance regarding ASL interpretation, please contact Andrea Parker at aparker@lesd.k12.or.us or Annie Whiddon at awhiddon@lesd.k12.or.us)
Questions? Contact Dulce Guillén at guillen_d@4j.lane.edu 541-790-7709.
Important Considerations
Planning an upcoming session with an interpreter? Watch the training video below to learn good tips to ensure a smooth and effective collaboration with an interpreter.
Parent Conference Scheduling Best Practices
When planning parent-teacher conference schedules, please factor language interpretation needs into your process from the beginning to ensure maximum coverage and effective resource mobilization.
Plan & Group in Advance: Cluster families who speak the same language into dedicated time blocks, staggered across your conference day(s).
Optimize Scheduling Hours: If your building does not have an assigned interpreter, aim to schedule parent conferences between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM whenever possible to best align with interpreter availability outside regular work hours.
Account for Simultaneous Needs: Remember that a single interpreter cannot serve multiple classrooms at the same time. If multiple interpretation sessions occur simultaneously, request additional interpreters for your building.
Large Group Presentations: The Talk & Listen Kit
Do you need simultaneous interpretation for multiple audience members speaking the same language during an in-person event or large presentation? The Talk and Listen Kit offers an efficient solution.
How It Works
Interpreter Setup: The interpreter utilizes a voice-silencing PrivacyMic microphone connected directly to a wireless transmitter.
Audience Experience: Listeners in the audience are equipped with personal receivers and earpieces, enabling them to hear real-time translation clearly while the speaker presents.
How to Request
When submitting your interpreter request, explicitly note if you believe the Talk and Listen Kit technology would be an asset for your scheduled setting.