Since October 2024, Tower Road Primary School has been an ambassador of Pocketalk’s UK School Partner Programme, helping address and overcome language barriers in UK classrooms, using Pocketalk devices to support students. Tower Road, located in Boston, Lincolnshire, has almost 50% of its 552 students with English as an additional language (EAL), speaking 34 different languages.
As one of only five UK Pocketalk school ambassadors chosen from over 400 schools that applied, Tower Road uses the translation devices to help students, teachers and parents communicate efficiently, securely and quickly. The instant, two-way written and spoken translation, as well as the camera function, covers all the languages spoken by its EAL pupils.
Finding solutions to support equitable education
After almost a whole school year of use, recent feedback shows how using new technology to support language translation in the classroom has ‘significantly improved communication and engagement among students’ according to Tower Road teaching staff.
Prior to using Pocketalk, considerable time was invested in creating separate resources to address language barriers. Now, ongoing tasks are translated quickly and easily, allowing for a more efficient learning environment.
With language barriers lifted, teachers now focus on primary tasks and better observe students’ underlying abilities, assess understanding of topics and monitor progression in English grammar, fostering an inclusive atmosphere while promoting an appreciation for linguistic diversity.
Improving communication and integration
Tower Road teaching staff have noticed that overall communication within the classroom has ‘markedly improved’. Instructions are delivered effectively, and students respond positively to this approach. Students have used Pocketalk to pose questions, encouraging a more interactive and participative learning environment.
Ewelina Czerwinska, EAL Lead and Teacher at Tower Road, says: “The use of Pocketalks as a translation tool has been transformative; enhancing communication and facilitating a deeper understanding of the curriculum among students from diverse linguistic backgrounds. This illustrates the profound impact of technology on educational practices. Our teachers say they would not want to be without the device as it has brought so much reassurance for everyone, while caring for the students.”
One member of staff explained: “I use the Pocketalk device every day to support a child who speaks very little English and whose language is Bulgarian. Using Pocketalk for basic communication has helped to understand the child’s needs. The Pocketalk is available so peers can communicate to build relationships and help when working in groups; allowing the child to feel and be included as well as giving the child a full understanding of what is happening, taking away any stress or worry.”
One pupil, who arrived at the schooling speaking no English says: “Pocketalk helped me to understand English and also my lessons are much easier for me to understand and to make contact with people and learn a new language without any doubt.”
Another student who used to translate for her non-English speaking friend says: “Pocketalk is really good for people who don’t know English. It has helped my friend to understand words and grammar. It has amazing qualities for users and makes people more confident and happy. They feel pride when speaking English now.”
Helping parents support their children’s education
An area where feedback has shown a real need for translation support is communication with parents and care givers, many of whom don’t speak English. The school has used Pocketalk to communicate with the children’s parents which has been a very positive experience for everyone, building positive relationships because of this.
Tower Road teacher, Suzanne Adams, says: “Pocketalk was invaluable with my pupil for her first term in Year 5. I could also explain tasks to her, so she had an understanding of what to do. She is a clever girl and could produce her work in Arabic, but wanted to have clarifications on what to include. Once she had written in Arabic, I could take a photo with the Pocketalk, translating back into English. Pocketalk has also been useful when I needed to ask her Mum permission to go on a trip. She could not access the letter on parentmail; I explained the trip and that consent was needed with the device and mum could then understand.”
Jess O’Dwyer, General Manager, Europe, at Pocketalk, says: “We launched the UK School Partner programme to be part of the solution in education, helping schools to overcome language barriers and support EAL students more effectively. We are delighted to know that the Pocketalk devices are making such a difference for students, teachers and parents. Children are our future and it is right that we give them the best possibility to achieve in school and life; we are overjoyed that this accessible, accurate and secure technology is helping so many.”
For more information on Pocketalk and its work in education, please visit https://www.pocketalk.com/education or email Matt Steel: matt.steel@pocketalk.com
