AKRON, Ohio (WJW) — Within Akron Public Schools, interpreters play an integral role in helping bridge language barriers for students and families whose first language is not English.
Akron Public Schools has about 19,000 students, and English learners account for more than 10% of the district’s enrollment, according to Loi Dang-Nguyen, supervisor of the district’s English as a Second Language program.
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“There’s great needs in regards to having an interpreter on hand to help our families and our students meet the needs for the language barrier that they may encounter,” Dang-Nguyen said.
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In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, FOX 8 spoke with Spanish interpreter Susana Iriarte, who came to the United States from Peru at age 17.
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