What Does a School Sign Language Interpreter Do?
For many students who are deaf or hard of hearing, a school sign language interpreter is the key to fully experiencing school. Whether that means understanding a teacher’s lesson or laughing along with friends in the cafeteria, they open the door to friendships, new opportunities, and involvement in all the different parts of school life.
In this Soliant guide, explore what school interpreters do and the different ways they may support one or more students throughout the school day.
What Does a School Sign Language Interpreter Do?
The primary responsibility of a school sign language interpreter is to facilitate communication for a student who is deaf or hard-of-hearing. This means they convert spoken language into sign language and signed responses into spoken language in an educational setting.
However, the day-to-day responsibilities of an interpreter go beyond simply translating words. They often have a wide range of duties that can even extend beyond the classroom, often involving academic, social, and extracurricular settings:
- Supporting Classroom Learning: Interpreting lectures, discussions, instructions, videos, and more so that students can fully participate in lessons.
- Always Adapting: Adjusting sign language characteristics like speed, vocabulary, or format depending on subject matter, grade level, teacher approach, or student needs.
- Signing During Special Events: Depending on the specific role, sometimes providing interpretation for assemblies, concerts, graduations, and other school activities.
- Signing During Extracurriculars: Interpreting for students during sports practices, clubs, field trips, and other after-school programs.
- Signing During Social Situations: Helping students understand social conversations with other students, group work, and informal communication, like in hallways or lunchrooms.
- Collaborating with Staff: Working closely with teachers, parents, special education educators, IEP teams, and other relevant school therapy professionals, like audiologists or deaf and hard-of-hearing specialists, to support the student’s educational plan. They may also interpret during parent-teacher conferences or similar meetings.
- Maintaining Confidentiality: Ensuring student privacy while providing accurate interpretation.
Do sign language interpreters stay with one child in school?
The day-to-day schedule of a school sign language interpreter depends on the specific role, job setting, grade level, and the district’s needs. Some provide one-on-one support by staying with the same student all day, while others may move between classrooms or even different schools to serve multiple students in a day. However, most school sign language interpreters remain with one student for (at least) their core classes, and they support the same student from the start to the end of the school year.
Explore School Sign Language Interpreter Careers with Soliant
At Soliant, we know how essential interpreters are in schools. If you’re interested in a rewarding career helping students thrive, Soliant can connect you with school sign language interpreter jobs across the country. Whether you’re looking for a one-on-one placement, a position serving multiple students, or opportunities to support a variety of grade levels, our team is here to help you find the right fit.
Start exploring open school sign language interpreter positions today and take the next step in your career with Soliant!
