It’s a cutting-edge program that is the first of its kind in Massachusetts and, perhaps, the nation.

 

Through a new partnership with the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Revere High School students are taking a course in interpretation and translation that may spark interest and lead to careers in the field.

 

“We're doing something cutting-edge with the students,” said Regina Galasso, Associate Professor and Director of the Translation Center at UMass Amherst. “If the students are committed, it will distinguish them in their understanding of language and how to look at it and how to use it.”

 

The Foundations of Translation, Interpreting, and Language class at RHS will position students on a pathway to unique careers in translation and interpreting while learning to embrace their background and culture.

 

According to US News and World Reports, interpreters and translators made a median salary of $53,640 in 2022, and the best-paid interpreters and translators made $73,430 per year. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says job opportunities for translators and interpreters will increase by 20% by the decade’s end, which is faster than other occupations.

 

“I think that if we give students the foundation of all the things they can do with language and explain why speaking different languages matters or why understanding languages matters, then maybe they'll want to keep studying languages or have a career in translating and interpreting,” said Galasso. “Hopefully, through this course, all of those things are going to come together for these students.”

 

A recent university study has shown that studying world languages creates more positive attitudes and less prejudice toward people who are different. Studying a world language also improves skills and grades in math and English, encourages respect for other people, expands one’s view of the world, makes one more flexible and tolerant, limits the barriers between people and improves the chances of getting a good-paying job.

 

Last year, Revere High School (RHS) juniors and seniors who are rigorously studying Spanish, Italian or French were inducted into the school’s World Language National Honor Society.

For over two decades, Revere Public Schools (RPS) has offered World Language studies and the opportunity for the most proficient high school students to be invited into the Spanish, French or Italian Honor Societies. RPS is also excited to be launching the Japanese Honor Society at CityLab High School this year.

 

“Since the language honor societies are separate national organizations, the requirements are a little different for each society, but generally, the students have to have a good overall GPA, an even better GPA in the language that they study and must participate in the national competition exam for their language,” said Language Development Coach Anne Chalupka. “Students have to complete a certain number of years (of a language) and are then nominated at the end of their second semester. They have to be in good standing overall, so no discipline issues, academic dishonesty or anything like that. So, they're upstanding citizens and they have performed well in their language courses.”