Thanks to Step One Automotive Group for their support. “Empowering lives through smarter and easier ways of accessing mobility.”

Pryor Middle School in Fort Walton Beach currently has over 180 students where English is their second language. And while some of these English-language learning (ELL) students do speak English, 102 students don’t speak English at all. 

As part of the Subaru Loves Learning initiative, Step One Automotive Group presented the school with a $10,000 check to help purchase 3 language interpretation systems.

“They are brand new to this country,” said Principal Barron. “It impedes the learning process because when our teachers speak in English, they have to pause and wait for the translator to say exactly what they just said in English, into Spanish for our Spanish-speaking students.”

As you might imagine, this increases the time it takes for a teacher to give direct instruction to the class. With this new interpretation system, the school is excited to create a more efficient flow inside the classrooms. 

Here’s how it works:

A translator will be in the back part of the classroom where they can speak “very quietly” into a microphone. Each ELL student will have a headset on and be able to hear the translator. 

• The student will still have one free ear to be able to hear everything in English.

“They know when to put their paper away, when to get a pencil out, when to start working to solve a problem,” continued Barron. “They will be able to understand instructions at the same time as their peers, and it’s going right into their ear!”

Barron says that when the students break out into small groups or stations, the interpretation system isn’t used because the school wants the ELL students to be able to use the skills they are learning and practice English in the classroom. 

“It’s really the best of both worlds because our students are getting what they need to learn without impeding the speed of instruction for others,” Barron said.

Outside of the classroom, this new system can reach up to 75 people at one time. This will allow the school to use it during student assemblies, as well as Open Houses with Spanish-speaking parents.

“I’m so excited about all the new opportunities this is going to do for us here at Pryor,” said Barron. “These children are now able to follow classroom instruction in real time and will perform better academically almost immediately.”

The Subaru Loves Learning program is the product of a partnership between Subaru of America, Adopt a Classroom.org and Subaru retailers around the country, including Subaru Fort Walton Beach to support schools and students lacking supplies and resources needed to succeed in the classroom.

“All children deserve an education that will help them achieve their dreams,” added Maureen Bierman, Marketing Director for Step One Automotive Group. “We were so glad to be able to participate in this program and support the kids at W.C. Pryor Middle School.”

Thanks to Step One Automotive Group for their support. “Empowering lives through smarter and easier ways of accessing mobility.”