Microsoft Translate is an often forgotten about, yet still very important, part of the Microsoft Suite. Although programs such as Google Translate are very commonly used on a day-to-day basis to translate relatively simple things, Microsoft Translate has some unique advantages to it that many other translators simply do not. Here are some of the benefits that using Microsoft Translate may bring to you and your classroom!
Education
Microsoft Translator has the unique trait of being able to be easily implemented into the classroom. It can be implemented to parent-teacher conferences to provide real-time translation of what is being communicated. It can help provide translated captions/notes for students who are hard of hearing, non-native speakers, or otherwise have trouble taking notes. Overall, this tool can be seamlessly applied to just about every other Microsoft tool, and can thus enhance the education of not only those who don’t speak a native language, but also students who are deaf, hard of hearing, or face any similar disability.
Ease of Group Conversations
The Microsoft Translate app offers the ability to create large groups chats to allow for mass communication across language barriers. Much like Zoom, Microsoft Translate allows for the generation of a conversation code, which can be sent to anyone you wish to add to a conversation. Now, large business discussions across numerous countries and languages can be done effortlessly with real-time translation done through Microsoft.
Offline Usage
One unique advantage that Microsoft Translate holds over other translators is the ability to be used offline. As long as you download the associated language packs for the languages you wish to be able to translate offline, the translator functions just as well without internet as it does with it. One teacher from the Perusall reading mentioned that, within a diverse school district, by downloading the language packs for the 10 most common languages spoken there, she was able to communicate with 80% of her non-native students and families, all without needing the internet!
Overall, Microsoft Translate is an essential tool in any diverse classroom, and can even provide benefits to certain native-speaker students who are deaf or hard of hearing. The ability to be seamlessly applied to any lesson, be used as a real-time translator in parent-teacher meetings, and to be used even without internet makes it a tool which should be used wherever possible!
Works Cited:
https://www.dutchtrans.co.uk/microsoft-translator-app-the-advantages-and-disadvantages/