Stop Just Interpreting. Start Transforming.

AATL
Jul 17
3 min read

Unlocking Language: A Workshop Series for K-12 Educational Interpreters

January 5, 2026, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM ESTVirtual Workshop

Step into your power as the language role model your students deserve with the Unlocking Language workshop series.

You see it every day. The lone Deaf student in a sea of hearing faces, their eyes fixed on you. In that moment, you’re not just a conduit for words. You are their connection, their language model, and their cultural bridge. In a world where Deaf spaces are shrinking, your role has never been more critical—or more demanding.

Are you equipped to be the vibrant, authentic language model they need?

That’s why we created Unlocking Language, a professional development series designed to move you beyond literal translation and into the realm of true linguistic and cultural fluency.

This Isn't Just Another PD. This is a Game-Changer.

Forget dry lectures and passive learning. Every workshop in this series is co-led by a Deaf language expert and a heritage CODA interpreter. This isn't theory; this is lived experience, community wisdom, and authentic ASL, delivered directly to you. We're here to help you tackle the biggest challenges in educational interpreting today.

Workshop Previews: What You'll Master

1. Using ASL Like a Native: Idioms & Figurative Language

Go from literal translations to weaving in the rich tapestry of ASL idioms that make language come alive. Your students will see culture in action, not just words in the air.

You'll Walk Away With: Our exclusive "Idiom of the Week" guide and a curated list of 75+ ASL idioms you can start using tomorrow.

2. Beyond Words: Mastering Facial Grammar & Prosody

Are you leading with your hands or with your face? Master the non-manual signals and emotional nuance that separate fluent, native-like ASL from flat, robotic signing. Convey tone, sarcasm, and subtext with confidence.

Key Takeaway: L1 users lead with their face. It’s time you did, too.

3. Out of Line, Into Space: Mastering 3D Storytelling

Break free from the confines of English sentence structure. Learn to use 3D space, referent mapping, and visual vernacular to create interpretations that are clearer, more dynamic, and easier for students to follow.

Hands-On Challenge: Use 3D modeling tools to physically map out complex concepts and bring your interpretations to life.

4. Unpacking Communication: Lessons from DeafBlind Methods

What can DeafBlind communication teach us about reaching every student? Discover how to use tactile cues, intentional redundancy, and kinesthetic learning to support students with language delays or processing differences.

Experience It: Our "Sensory Awakening" warm-up will fundamentally change how you think about communication.

5. Breaking the Code: Meaning-Based Interpreting

Stop chasing words and start delivering concepts. This workshop drills down into the core of meaning-making. You'll learn to deconstruct complex academic information and reassemble it with conceptual clarity in ASL.

Your New Skill: Move from a word-for-word processor to a true meaning-maker.

6. Slang Squad: Keeping Your Interpreting Relevant

Your students don't speak like a textbook, so why should your interpreting sound like one? From "bet" to "iykyk," we'll dive into the latest youth slang (in both English and ASL) so you can interpret it without losing credibility or missing the joke.

Toolkit: Get age-specific slang glossaries and frameworks for ethically interpreting "edgy" content.

7. The Cultural Broker: Bridging Worlds with Confidence

Your job doesn't end when the bell rings. You navigate tricky conversations between teachers, parents, and students. This session gives you the tools to be a confident cultural broker, fostering understanding and advocating for true access.

Practice Lab: Role-play real-world scenarios to build your confidence in bridging cultural gaps.

This Is For YOU If…

You're a K-12 educational interpreter ready to move from "good enough" to truly exceptional.
You're an ITP graduate looking to ace the EIPA with skills that go beyond the textbook.
You're a seasoned interpreter who feels stuck in a rut and wants to reignite your passion.
You're a mentor or coordinator dedicated to building a high-caliber interpreting team.

What You Get When You Join Us:

✅ Transformative strategies co-taught by Deaf experts and heritage signers.

✅ Learn by doing with hands-on games, video analysis, and real-world challenges.

✅ A powerful professional network through our ongoing peer cohort in Google Classroom.

✅ Career-boosting CEUs to keep your certification current.

✅ Flexible access via Zoom or in-person sessions.

✅ Weekly tools like our "Idiom of the Week" and visual cue cards to keep your skills sharp.

Language is a legacy. This is your chance to step beyond the role of interpreter and become the language role model your students will remember for a lifetime.