Conducting Parent/Teacher Conferences with an Interpreter
If you are an ESL teacher or a teacher with multilingual students in your classroom, it's a sure thing that you will need to have a conference with a parent who needs an interpreter. Here are a few tips:
1. Always address the parent, not the interpreter. Have your attention on the parents and speak directly to them. You can glance at the interpreter, because they are part of the meeting, but direct your conversation to the parents. We never want to "talk over" the parents and make them feel excluded.
2. Have everything that is said in the meeting translated for the parents. Never have a side conversation with other people in the room without letting the parents know what is being said. After all, we are discussing their child.
3. Often times, the parents may be ashamed, embarrassed or confused. Even though they may not understand what is being said, they will understand a smile. When you address them, soften your face and smile. We want to assure them that they are welcome and wanted at the school. They are not in trouble. We are building capacity.
4. Many other cultures do not shake hands. If you extend your hand, don't always expect a hearty hand shake in return. Be gentle.
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ESL Tips and Strategies
An English learner's second language can only be as strong as their first language! Encourage them to use their native language!! Pair together students that speak the same language, but
are at different language
levels. 
