Master the English you need for parent-teacher conferences, school emails, and helping with homework. Includes Spanish and Portuguese translations for immigrant parents.
You moved to give your children a better future. You work hard, you sacrifice, you make sure they have everything they need. But when the school sends an email, when the teacher wants to meet, when your child needs help with homework — your English feels inadequate. And the last thing you want is for your limited English to limit your child's education.
This guide is for you. Every phrase, every template, every vocabulary word is designed for one purpose: making sure you can advocate for your child effectively in English.
English: "Thank you for meeting with me. I want to make sure [child's name] is doing well both academically and socially."
ES: "Gracias por reunirse conmigo. Quiero asegurarme de que [nombre] está bien tanto académica como socialmente."
PT: "Obrigado/a por se reunir comigo. Quero ter certeza de que [nome] está bem tanto academicamente quanto socialmente."
English: "How is [child's name] doing in [subject]? Is there anything I should be working on with them at home?"
ES: "¿Cómo va [nombre] en [materia]? ¿Hay algo en lo que debería trabajar con él/ella en casa?"
PT: "Como [nome] está indo em [matéria]? Há algo em que eu deveria trabalhar com ele/a em casa?"
English: "Is [child's name] at grade level in reading and math?"
ES: "¿Está [nombre] al nivel esperado en lectura y matemáticas?"
PT: "O/A [nome] está no nível esperado em leitura e matemática?"
English: "Does [child's name] get along well with other students? Are there any concerns about behavior?"
ES: "¿Se lleva bien [nombre] con los otros estudiantes? ¿Hay alguna preocupación sobre su comportamiento?"
PT: "O/A [nome] se dá bem com os outros alunos? Há alguma preocupação com comportamento?"
English: "Is my child participating in class? Are they engaged?"
ES: "¿Mi hijo/a participa en clase? ¿Está comprometido/a?"
PT: "Meu/minha filho/a participa na aula? Está engajado/a?"
English: "I've noticed that [child] seems [frustrated/tired/anxious] about school lately. Have you noticed anything?"
ES: "He notado que [nombre] parece [frustrado/cansado/ansioso] con la escuela últimamente. ¿Ha notado algo?"
PT: "Tenho notado que [nome] parece [frustrado/cansado/ansioso] com a escola ultimamente. Você notou algo?"
English: "I'm concerned about [specific issue]. What can we do together to help?"
ES: "Me preocupa [problema específico]. ¿Qué podemos hacer juntos para ayudar?"
PT: "Estou preocupado/a com [problema específico]. O que podemos fazer juntos para ajudar?"
If you don't understand something, it's ALWAYS okay to ask:
Subject: Absence notification — [Child's Name], [Grade/Class]
Dear [Teacher's Name],
I'm writing to let you know that [child's name] will not be in school on [date(s)] due to [reason: illness/family matter/appointment].
Please let me know if there is any homework or assignments they should complete at home.
Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely, [Your Name] Parent of [Child's Name]
ES: "Le escribo para informarle que [nombre] no asistirá a la escuela el [fecha] debido a [razón]."
PT: "Escrevo para informar que [nome] não estará na escola em [data] devido a [razão]."
Subject: Meeting request — [Child's Name]
Dear [Teacher's Name],
I would like to schedule a meeting to discuss [child's name]'s progress in [subject/general]. I'm available [days/times that work]. Please let me know what works best for your schedule.
Thank you, [Your Name]
Subject: Re: [Original Subject]
Dear [Teacher's Name],
Thank you for letting me know about [the issue]. I appreciate you bringing this to my attention.
At home, I've noticed [related observation]. I'm committed to working with you to help [child's name] improve. What specific steps do you recommend?
Please let me know how I can support from home.
Best regards, [Your Name]
| English | Spanish | Portuguese | |---------|---------|------------| | Grade level | Nivel de grado | Nível escolar | | Report card | Boleta de calificaciones | Boletim escolar | | GPA (Grade Point Average) | Promedio de calificaciones | Média de notas | | Honor roll | Cuadro de honor | Quadro de honra | | Standardized test | Examen estandarizado | Prova padronizada | | IEP (Individual Education Plan) | Plan educativo individual | Plano educacional individual | | Gifted program | Programa para dotados | Programa para superdotados | | Tutoring | Tutoría/Clases de apoyo | Reforço escolar | | Field trip | Excursión escolar | Excursão escolar | | Recess | Recreo | Recreio | | Homework | Tarea | Dever de casa/Lição | | Assignment | Tarea/Trabajo | Tarefa/Trabalho | | Due date | Fecha de entrega | Data de entrega | | Permission slip | Autorización | Autorização | | PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) | Asociación de padres y maestros | Associação de pais e mestres |
| English | Spanish | Portuguese | |---------|---------|------------| | Bullying | Acoso escolar | Bullying | | Detention | Castigo/Detención | Detenção | | Suspension | Suspensión | Suspensão | | Counselor | Consejero escolar | Orientador escolar | | Special needs | Necesidades especiales | Necessidades especiais | | Peer pressure | Presión de grupo | Pressão dos colegas | | Self-esteem | Autoestima | Autoestima | | Social skills | Habilidades sociales | Habilidades sociais |
You don't need perfect English to support your child's education. Research shows that parental INVOLVEMENT matters more than parental English level.
It's okay. Say:
"I don't know the answer to this one, but I can help you figure out WHERE to find it. Let's [ask the teacher / look it up / email your teacher together]."
Your child learns problem-solving skills by watching you navigate challenges — including language challenges.
Schools send a LOT of papers and emails. Key phrases to watch for:
| Phrase | What It Means | Action Required | |--------|--------------|-----------------| | "Permission slip enclosed" | They need your signature for a trip/activity | Sign and return | | "Please RSVP by [date]" | Respond whether you're coming or not | Reply yes/no | | "Mandatory parent meeting" | You MUST attend | Put it on your calendar | | "Your child has been selected for..." | Good news — your child qualified for something | Usually just acknowledge | | "We need to discuss..." | The teacher has a concern | Schedule a meeting | | "Past due" | Something wasn't turned in | Help your child complete it | | "Dress code violation" | Clothing issue | Change what they wear |
Studies consistently show that bilingual families produce children with cognitive advantages — better problem-solving, creativity, and empathy. Your Spanish or Portuguese at home is a GIFT, not a limitation.
Your child needs you present and engaged — imperfect English and all.
Voza offers scenarios specifically for parents: practice parent-teacher conferences, rehearse phone calls to the school office, and build the vocabulary you need to advocate for your child without hesitation.
Start practicing at voza.talk — because your child deserves a parent who can speak up for them in any language.
Coaches, linguists, and people from Latin America who learned English by speaking. We write what would have helped us.
