Young Interpreters Scheme

What is the scheme? 

The Young Interpreter Scheme is an initiative that provides peer support to children and young people who are learning English as an Additional Language (EAL), their families, and to schools.  

'Young Interpreters' are children and young people who are trained to be empathetic peers who can support the well-being of newly-arrived EAL learners at school. They undergo specific training to prepare for this role and are selected based on different personal qualities they may have.  

The Young Interpreter Scheme can be used in settings where there are many children and young people who share the same language and schools with isolated EAL learners. 

The scheme is aimed at Primary and Secondary school children and young people. 

Hampshire County Council provide further information about the scheme. 

How will it benefit schools? 

The Young Interpreters Scheme offers several benefits to schools: 

1. Peer Support: The scheme provides peer support to children and young people who are learning EAL, to their families, and to schools. 
2. Empathy and Intercultural Awareness: The scheme helps raise empathy and intercultural awareness among children and young people. It also makes the scheme available to both bilingual and monolingual learners, which is very powerful in developing empathy amongst English speakers towards some of the challenges and difficulties that children and young people new to English may be facing. 
3. Inclusivity and Celebration of Cultures: Schools can create an ethos of inclusivity and celebration of other languages and cultures. 
4. Confidence, Communication, and Leadership Skills: The scheme develops the confidence, communication, and leadership skills of the Young Interpreters. 
5. Support for New Learners: The support they offer to a newly arrived child or young person can be very reassuring from a parent or carer's point of view at a time when their child may be adapting to substantial changes. 
6. Free Access to Materials: Schools get free access to the Young Interpreter Scheme's materials. 
7. Improvement in English Language Skills: The scheme can help children with EAL settle into school quicker and improve their English. 

Young Interpreters can be led by staff members who hold various roles within your school or setting, with many enabling a HLTA to successfully lead this.  

Overall, the Young Interpreters Scheme is a valuable resource that can enhance the learning environment for all children, young people and staff.  

How to find out more 

To find out more about implementing the fully funded Young Interpreters Scheme at your Norfolk school, visit our e-learning module and/or padlet or contact us as below.

North Hampshire Council has produced this video on running the Young Interpreters scheme.

Key contacts

If you have any specific questions regarding the Young Interpreters Scheme, please call 0333 313 7165 to get in touch with one of our advisers. This phone line is open on weekdays, from 9am to 5pm. You can also email inclusionandsend@norfolk.gov.uk if you are unable to call.