Language Assistance Services Unit
Translating Parent Involvement into Student Achievement;
Interpreting Montgomery County Public Schools to the World
Have an emergency?
If you are handling an emergency situation requiring immediate communication with a parent who communicates best in a language other than English, please call the Language Line for assistance now. Your administrator and administrative secretary will have the secure access information available for you.
If you need counseling support or parent outreach support from the Division of ESOL/Bilingual Programs, please follow the appropriate link to access services.
Our Mission
The mission of the Language Assistance Services Unit (LASU) is to provide timely, high-quality translation and interpretation services to families and schools, minimizing cultural and linguistic barriers, promoting parent involvement and building a foundation for students' academic success.
Our Work
LASU provides direct services to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) staff as they communicate with our linguistically diverse community. Language services assistants process requests for oral interpretations services when MCPS staff need to communicate face-to-face with parents about student achievement, health and safety. Communications specialists provide written translations of MCPS communications to the community in our major languages, Spanish, Chinese, French, Vietnamese, and Korean. The language assistance technology specialist, administrative secretary and systems programmer support the work of LASU staff and work to provide solutions for schools whose language assistance needs are broader than the current scope of LASU staff members.
LASU makes a concerted effort to provide interpreters for any parent meeting and will suggest alternatives when contractors are not available. If schools have a population of at least ten students for a particular language, LASU will endeavor to provide translations for appropriate, school-wide documents. LASU will try to provide translations in any language for individual documents required by law.
LASU utilizes the services of contract interpreters, who provide most of the actual interpretation services, and contract proofers and translators on an as-needed basis. Individuals interested in providing oral interpretation services or written translation and proofing services should contact the LASU Publications Manager, María Elena Escobar directly to make inquiries.
What's the Difference Between Interpretation and Translation Services?
| Interpretation Services | Translation Services |
|---|---|
| Interpreters help live communication, in real time. | Translators help communicate across distance and time in writing. |
| Interpreters are requested on MCPS Form 311-10. | Translated documents are requested on MCPS Form 311-1. |
| Request forms for oral interpretation services can be filled in online, saved to your computer, and e-mailed to Interpretations. | Request forms for written translations can be filled in online and submitted in one of two ways, according to your location and needs:
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