What is one role of the interpreter in K-12 education?

In K-12 education, the role of the interpreter goes beyond merely translating spoken language. Teaching the language while interpreting is integral to ensuring that students who are deaf or hard of hearing can fully engage with the curriculum and their peers. This helps to bridge the communication gap and enhances the students' understanding of content, enabling them to participate actively in classroom discussions and activities.

Interpreters often facilitate learning by using language that is accessible and can provide context or clarify complex concepts during the interpretation process. This dual role of interpreting and teaching language skills promotes not only academic success but also supports the development of the student's communication abilities, which is critical in an educational setting.

The other options do not fully encapsulate the primary function of the interpreter in this context. While providing emotional support to students is valuable, it is not the interpreter's primary role. Evaluating student performance falls to educators, while translating only spoken language neglects the broader responsibility of facilitating comprehensive communication.