World Languages
Creating More Equitable Assessment for ELLs
Since the creation in 2002 of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), accountability and assessment of public education in the United States has been based on annual standardized state tests. These tests have been used to determine the effectiveness of states, districts, schools, and teachers in helping students learn. Public school students in the…
Read MoreRead MoreELL Students and the Digital Experience
Schools continue to move toward digital lessons and digital experiences for students. Most students are digital natives and are comfortable in this world. However, not all students have equal access. How does the digital revolution affect ELL students? Some ELL students are very comfortable with technology and how it works, while others are using it…
Read MoreRead MorePathways to Translation Solutions
To translate is defined as “to render or express in another language.” It also means to explain in simple language, to interpret or infer significance, and to transform or convert. A translation involves all of these aspects and more. Expert translation requires: command of the source and target languages, a deep understanding of the cultural…
Read MoreRead More4 Keys to Developing Spanish Assessments
As we discussed in recent posts, the assessment market is in flux. But this is nothing new. The passage of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) in 2002 disrupted the market, and for some companies this turned out to be a boon, as spending on state-level assessments nearly tripled in the next 6 years. As you…
Read MoreRead MoreDual Language Programs and the Bilingual Advantage
As a college student, I spent a semester studying abroad in Italy. My embarrassment stumbling over new words will be familiar to many language learners. Whether asking for directions, ordering food, or attending class, I struggled to keep up as I frantically translated my thoughts from English to Italian. One night, after one of those…
Read MoreRead MoreExpert Translation for Education Markets
Spanish: The Greatest Impact on Education Outcomes To achieve a brighter future in the United States, our students will need to be accomplished in math and science, adept in technology, and fluent and literate in English. There are, however, hurdles to jump. One is language. In 2014, the largest numbers of new immigrants came from…
Read MoreRead MoreU.S. Education Market Snapshot: English Language Learners (ELLs)
Professional Translation and How To Avoid Flying Naked
Why is it important to have a professional write and translate your product? In this era of new technology and immediacy, it is easy to get carried away with the specialized tools available to get the work done. But remember, they are only tools, which means they are only as good and effective as the…
Read MoreRead MoreTalking to the Test—Spanish Localization
When people ask us to do a translation project, one of the first things to resolve is: Will localization be required? Localization depends on the target market. A translation for a Texas market will be different from one for New York or Florida. Localization is especially important for high-stakes assessment, where accessibility is paramount. Whether…
Read MoreRead MoreTalking to the Test: Translation or Transadaptation?
There’s a reason why people use the phrase “lost in translation.” Often, there’s more than one path to achieve a good translation, and rarely is the path a straight one. As translators, we have to navigate carefully so we don’t lose our way. Sometimes, we need to use alternate routes to convey meaning from one…
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