Translate Texts to Students Automatically with TalkingPoints

As a result of the pandemic, the program you teach or volunteer in likely has some way of communicating with learners via text message. Your learning center or school may use Remind or WhatsApp to text learners, but have you heard about TalkingPoints yet? It has many of the same security features that Remind has, but it also automatically translates your text messages to your learners into as many as 150 languages!

Here are some features of TalkingPoints:

• Individual teachers can sign up for a free account. Packages for districts are available for a fee.
• Learners receive messages in their regular text messaging app. There is no need to download a new app.
• Teachers can send messages from their mobile device or computer. 

These languages are supported by TalkingPoints:

• Spanish
• Somali
• Hmong
• Karen
• Oromo
• Amharic
• Arabic
• Vietnamese 
• Ukrainian
• Dari
• Farsi
• And more!

Here are a few pages of interest on the TalkingPoints website:

• Getting Started Guide for Teachers
• 7 Best Practices for Writing Families (or, in your case, writing to adult learners in a way the app is more likely to translate your message accurately)
• TalkingPoints FAQs

Keep in mind that TalkingPoints is designed for K-12 students, but it can certainly work for adult basic education learners. Whenever you read “families” or “parents” on the website, think of your adult learners instead.

For questions or comments about this tutor tip, contact Tutor Training Coordinator Meghan Boyle at mboyle@literacymn.org.