Quick look: OCDE will host its ninth annual Interpreters and Translators Conference Oct. 3-4 at Vanguard University. Keynote speaker Ewandro Magalhães, a TEDx presenter and former U.N. chief interpreter, will headline the event.
International TEDx speaker and former chief interpreter in the United Nations system Ewandro Magalhães will headline the 2025 Interpreters and Translators Conference hosted by the Orange County Department of Education this fall.
Now in its ninth year, the annual event is organized by OCDE’s Educational Services division and will take place Oct. 3-4 at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa. This year’s theme, “Empowering Communities Through Language Access: Innovation & Impact for Language Professionals,” emphasizes the critical role interpreters and translators play in helping schools connect with families and support student learning through effective communication.
Magalhães, a veteran conference interpreter and author, will deliver both the opening and closing keynotes.
“Each year, our conference is more than a professional gathering — it’s a celebration of purpose,” said Natalia Abarca, OCDE’s Language Services coordinator. “We’re spotlighting the innovation and impact that interpreters and translators bring to the frontlines of equity. This work is important, and together, we’re not just bridging languages — we’re building trust and providing opportunities for every student to succeed.”
In 2024, OCDE’s Language Services unit was honored with a prestigious Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association. The recognition highlighted the department’s efforts to enhance interpreting and translation practices, support bilingual staff, and offer high-quality training programs, including the annual conference, that promote language access across educational communities.
Friday’s program will also include the presentation of the Award of Distinction to two outstanding bilingual professionals working in Orange County schools. In addition, one administrator will be recognized with the Language Access Administrator Award of Distinction.
Throughout the two-day event, participants will have the opportunity to attend 25 sessions across several topics, including skills development for interpreters and translators, note taking, family engagement, and the integration of artificial intelligence in the language access field.
The cost to attend is $250, which includes complimentary parking as well as breakfast and lunch on both days.
For more information or to register, visit the conference webpage. Questions about the conference program may be directed to the Language Services team at Language_Services@ocde.us. For registration inquiries, contact Angela Del Rosario at ADelRosario@ocde.us.