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Office of Communications → Language Assistance Services Unit → Language Line

Language Line - Now Easier to Access

If a parent calls an MCPS school or office or walks in and says “I speak [language],” staff can use these step-by-step directions for reaching a Language Line interpreter

  1. Dial Toll-Free 1-800-874-9426/1-866-874-3972, Local 1-831-648-7169.
  2. When cued, dial in the MCPS Client ID. If you do not have this number, you can obtain it from your principal/director, or administrative secretary.
  3. When asked for your personal code, dial in your employee ID number (no more distribution location number). Omit any leading zeroes for the employee ID number.
  4. Request the language you need.
  5. Select an appropriate code to indicate the main reason for the telephone call.
  6. If the parent is not already holding for this call, provide their phone number to the Language Line operator, who will connect you for an additional fee to MCPS.
  7. If you are asked to do so, briefly explain the nature of the call to the interpreter.
To print this information, please click here. 
 

NEW

Language Line APP

The Language Line audio interpretation services are now available through InSight, an App available through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Through InSight, all MCPS employees will be able to access the Language Line audio interpretation services using any device of their choice (cell phones, desktops, tablets, etc.) reducing the connection time.

To obtain the Authentication Code for InSight audio-only access, please contact the Language Assistance Services Unit.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Language Line

Can parents use Language Line?

Because Language Line is a fee-for-use service, access is restricted to MCPS personnel. We hope staff will become familiar enough with this resource that any parent need only call or come in and say "I speak [Language]," and the staff member answering the phone will immediately call Language Line to obtain an interpreter.

When is Language Line available?

Language Line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you need to call a parent from home in the evening or early morning, you can call from home. Your personal code will allow us to verify that the call was made by authorized personnel.

I am using my employee ID as my personal code. What about identity theft?

  • Your personal code is dialed into a computer system. If you fail to dial a recognizable code three times, you will be asked to give your information to a human operator. Even then, as soon as the information matches a record and verifies that you are an authorized user, the information disappears from the operator's screen.
  • The vice-president of Language Line has signed a nondisclosure agreement with MCPS.
  • Language Line personnel are always dealing with confidential, secure information including information protected under various federal laws.
  • If you do have to provide your employee ID to the operator, you do not need to provide your name; Language Line does not receive information that links your personal code to your name. You need only give your name to the interpreter, not the operator so that the interpreter can introduce you to the parent you are calling.