Management Information Sheet
Invitation to join the Norfolk schools' Young Interpreter Scheme
The EAL Advisory Service would like to invite your school to join the 15 other Norfolk schools who are taking part in theYoung Interpreters scheme.
We are holding a brief information session on 9 March at 3.30 to 4.20pm in which we will explain the scheme fully and take questions. A school which has taken part in Young Interpreters before will share their experience.
You can still participate in the scheme even if you can't attend the information session. Tanya Ingram Tanya.ingram@norfolk.gov.uk can answer any questions you have and to send more information.
We highly recommend this scheme for schools who are welcoming Unaccompanied Asylum Seeker children and refugees from Syria and Afghanistan.
What is the Young Interpreters scheme?
The scheme is aimed at Primary and Secondary school children, and involves a group of pupils who have an empathetic outlook in welcoming new arrivals to the school and supporting them during their induction period, as well as with ongoing social situations around school. Most of the participants have another language and can act as an "interpreter", showing the child around, explaining cultural differences, how school procedures work etc. They are a friendly face to help out during those first few weeks. Some Young Interpreters may be monolingual, but have an understanding and sympathetic manner and the scheme allows them to be acknowledged for their willingness to help. The Young Interpreters involved also feel as though their language skills and abilities are being utilised and valued.
The school, using the Young Interpreter training Moodle, undertakes to train the young people using the resources provided, ensuring safeguarding protocols are met, for example using Language Line or other INTRAN services to interpret personal data, difficult situations etc, not the young people. Often the Young Interpreters meet together to prepare resources that can help a new arrival such as maps of the school site, useful visual, translated lists for science or maths etc, list of clubs, and other useful resources.
More information
The cost is only £70 to join the scheme and have access to the Training Moodle.