Washburn education students often have the opportunity to work with English language learners during practicum and student teaching experiences. While teaching in the field, it can be challenging for our Washburn students to communicate effectively, as well as build connections with ELL students due to language barriers. To bridge the language gap, students could use a device that translates languages in real time.
The Timekettle WT2 Edge, also called the W3 Real-time Translator Earbuds device, supports bilingual conversation translation for up to six people with 95% accuracy in 40 languages and 93 accents. It is the ultimate tool for breaking down language barriers.
Avery Brungardt-Vincent, a current education student, works with a 3rd-grade ELL child during her practicum experience. Her student recently came to the U.S. from Mexico and speaks little to no English. While teaching lessons, Avery uses her personal phone to help translate information, which can be time consuming and cumbersome with lag time that often impedes understanding of content.
Avery stated, “I have known my third-grade ELL student for the past month, since his fifth day in the U.S. The child only speaks Spanish, which has led to isolation from English-speaking classmates, confusion, emotional distress (due to miscommunication) and several weeks' worth of missed education. The student's only socialization comes from the three Spanish-speaking students in the classroom, an ELL teacher seen 15 minutes a day and a rotating para. Access to this device would give a voice to the voiceless. He would be able to participate in class activities, connect with peers and participate in assignments.”
The Timekettle WT2 Edge could make a significant difference to our education students and the students they serve in the field. Each device costs approximately $250, depending on sale prices. Through Day of Giving, we are requesting funding for six devices, at an approximate cost of $1,500, to be checked out by education students as needed for their ELL students' academic and emotional success in the school setting. Thank you for taking this request into consideration as you donate funds during this special Day of Giving.
Gifts to this fund should be made to the Education Equipment Technology Resources Fund.
