Volunteer Language Interpreter

Language Interpreter

In partnership with BPEF School Volunteer, BUSD is seeking volunteers who can serve as interpreters for parents who have language access needs in order to ensure they can participate in the parent-teacher conferences and be able to develop a strong partnership with their child’s teacher and play an active role in their child’s education.

  • What can a Volunteer Interpreter expect to be asked to perform?

    Interpreters convert one spoken language into another. This requires interpreters to pay close attention, understand what is communicated, and express thoughts and ideas clearly in both languages.


  • Please let us know what languages, other than those listed above, you speak and understand fluently.
  • Every language is important – we have more than 42 languages spoken in BUSD! If we aren’t able to connect you with a family right away, we’ll contact you as a need arises.

  • Scheduling

    Berkeley Unified School District will hold elementary school parent-teacher conferences on the following days:
    Please choose which day(s)/time(s) work best for you

  • Requirements

    Volunteer interpreters should be able to:
    Please check all to indicate your understanding and agreement.

  • What are the conversations you can expect to interpret at a parent-teacher conference?

  • Student Progress

    Parents will want to find out how their child is doing by asking questions like:
    Is my child performing at grade-level?
    How is he/she doing compared to the rest of the class?
    What do you see as his/her strengths? How couldhe/she improve?

  • Assignments and Assessments

    Parents may ask to see examples of their child’s work or ask how the teacher gives grades.

  • Parent's thoughts about their child

    Parents will share what they think their child is good at or the areas in which he/she needs more help.

  • How parents can support learning at home

    Teachers will share with parents what they can do at home to help their children learn.

  • Supports for learning at school

    Parents might want to find out what services are available at the school to help their child and how the teacher will both challenge and support their child when he/she needs it.