For Faculty

Congratulations!! You have the unique opportunity to work with a Deaf/Hard of Hearing student in your class. One of the accommodations provided for this student is interpreter services. An interpreter will be in the classroom with the student acting as a bilingual/bicultural mediator. If you have any concerns or questions about the interpreter services provided, please feel free to contact the Interpreter Services Manager, Kari Arnold, at 531-3519.

We would like to offer you a few suggestions on how to make the most of this experience.

When working with interpreters,

DO:

• Speak directly to the deaf student, not the interpreter, when giving instructions or asking questions. "Did you have a question Johnny?"
• Speak audibly.
• Speak at a normal rate of speed.
• Insist that the hearing students speak audibly and at a normal rate of speed.
• Have materials for the interpreter to review before class whenever possible, i.e. textbooks, handouts, movies for preview, etc., so the interpreter may become familiar with the material.
• Ensure that visual path between the student and interpreter is clear.
• Allow the interpreter to be located near you, as well as near all visual aids.
• Get captioned videotapes or give the interpreter plenty of advance notice and opportunity to preview videotapes.
• Use visual aids copiously.
• Keep interpreter informed of upcoming class activities.
• Provide breaks.
• Encourage participation. Include the deaf students in class discussions, questions and answers.
   

DON'T:

• Speak to the interpreter instead of the student: "Does Johnny have a question?"
• Approach the interpreter for information or concerns about the student.
• Mumble.
• Allow hearing students to mumble.
• Speak haltingly and slowly.
• Stand between student and interpreter.
• Turn off all lights.
• Try to place student and interpreter "away in a corner."
• Surprise interpreter with non-captioned videotapes.
• Rush through post-exam reviews. This does not leave the student enough time to look at the interpreter then look down on their paper to check the answers.
• Ask interpreter to hold or pass on either information or papers to the student.

What do interpreters do?

• Facilitate communication between deaf/hard of hearing and hearing persons.
• Prepare for class when necessary by reviewing textbooks, handouts, movies, and materials ahead of time.
• Refer student questions or problems to the teacher.

What don't interpreters do?

• Advise, counsel, offer opinions or information about, or to, the student.
• Withhold the message from a consumer (student or instructor).
• Tutor, explain.
• Run errands, proctor tests, maintain classroom discipline.
• Divulge confidential (assignment-related) information.
• Participate in classroom discussions or activities.

What do I do if I have a problem with the student?

• With the interpreter present, speak to the student directly regarding the problem, just as you would with any student.
• Please do not discuss student performance, or lack thereof, with the interpreter.

What do I do if I have a problem with the interpreter?

• The first course of action would be to speak to the interpreter directly.
• If that fails to resolve the problem, please contact the Interpreter Services Manager, Kari Arnold, at 531-3519.
  
   

page last updated: 05/21/07