Virtual conference will focus on enhancing interpretation and translation services

Educators, parents and community members can learn how to further enhance school interpretation and translation services at OCDE’s fourth annual Interpreters and Translators Conference, which kicks off virtually Aug. 26.

The month-long professional learning series is designed to support the work of bilingual staff, administrators, interpreters, translators, parent advocates and others seeking to ensure equitable access for culturally and linguistically diverse students.

Ewandro Magalhaes
Author and former United Nations interpreter Ewandro Magalhaes will be the keynote speaker at OCDE’s upcoming Interpreters and Translators Conference. The virtual event starts Aug. 26.

Attendees will get to watch live presentations from renowned experts, including keynote speaker Ewandro Magalhaes, an author, professor and former chief interpreter for the United Nations system. Other sessions will focus on skill development, self-care, ethics, cultural considerations, professionalism and branding.

“In its fourth year, the annual Interpreters and Translators Conference for educational linguists has become the largest gathering of multicultural and bilingual staff, who serve over 500,000 students and are committed to supporting high-quality interpretation and translation in our schools,” OCDE Program Specialist Natalia Abarca said. “This year we are excited to launch, for the first time, virtual access to all sessions, providing even greater learning opportunities.”

Under Abarca’s leadership, the Orange County Department of Education has built a professional network and countywide infrastructure to support language services. Along with hosting trainings, the department has worked to establish common educational terminology, launched an awards program and created the annual conference.

“Let us embrace building our community as we learn together collaboratively, share best practices and grow professionally and personally through authentic communication,” Abarca said.

The registration fee for this year’s Interpreters and Translators Conference is $100, and participants will have access to its content through Oct. 31.

Certified interpreters will also have an opportunity to earn continuing education units from the Judicial Council of California, the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters, the American Translators Association and the International Medical Interpreters Association.

For registration information, visit link.ocde.us/interpreters-translators, or contact Angela Del Rosario at adelrosario@ocde.us. For event information, contact Natalia Abarca at nabarca@ocde.us.