Our translation difference
High-quality, education-specialized translation for every family
TalkingPoints helps schools connect with families in 150 languages through translation that’s built specifically for K–12 communication—ensuring every message is accurate, culturally aware, and accessible.
We make communication understandable and actionable for all families. TalkingPoints is the only platform that has always offered two-way enhanced translation using advanced AI models and supported by human translators.
Since day one, we’ve brought families and schools together to create lasting support systems for students in communities nationwide. No smartphones, computers, or wifi required; for families, getting started is as simple as texting.
How TalkingPoints Translation Works
Unlike publicly available machine translation tools, our approach is built specifically for K–12, using education-focused language that might be mistranslated in general-purpose systems. Feedback from users and translators continually refines and improves our models. TalkingPoints benefits from ongoing input from human translators, real conversation data, advanced AI models, and education-specific glossaries—resulting in translation tailored to the needs of schools and families.
Continual innovation
We’re continually developing new ways to support multilingual family–school engagement.
In-product support features—like videos with translated captions, “Help Me Understand,” and Ed101 (click-to-define explanations) give families the context they need to understand messages and respond confidently. Speech-to-text and text-to-speech makes communication even more accessible.
These are just a few of the tools built into TalkingPoints that help ensure clear, effective communication between schools and families.
Human translation support
99% of messages sent through TalkingPoints are in languages where we provide human translation support when needed, meaning educators and families always have access to help for clarification. Any message can have its translation reviewed by a human.
Education glossary
Our embedded proprietary glossary ensures school terms, proper nouns, and words with multiple meanings make sense in an educational context. This helps avoid misunderstandings and confusion when messages are translated.
Our most frequently translated languages
- Spanish
- Portuguese
- Arabic
- Simplified Chinese
- Vietnamese
Less commonly-spoken languages we also support
- Somali
- Swahili
- Dari
- Nepali
- Haitian Creole
- Burmese
Better translation support
Before TalkingPoints, I would rely on bad translations, or have to ask one of our paraprofessionals to call the family. With TalkingPoints, I can text a Spanish-speaking parent and have a direct conversation with them. If I get a translation that confuses me, I submit it for review and it always comes back to something I can understand and reply to. I know my families are getting critical school information in a way that they can understand.
Increased parent engagement
I have had more parent engagement this year than in years past and it gives teachers an opportunity to communicate directly with the parents versus always having to use the district's interpreter.
Engaging with ALL families
Our district has many languages represented, and we do not always have an interpreter for all of them. This tool allows us to communicate important information to ALL families. It has also empowered classroom teachers and office staff with the ability to communicate with multilingual families, which has strengthened home-school communication and relationships! We LOVE that our messages go directly to parents' phones without needing an email!
Breaking through language barriers
Me gusto mucho y la verdad fue una muy buena opción para mantener una comunicación entre maestros y padres de familia. A veces, la única opción que hacía era llamar a la escuela para cualquier duda que los padres teníamos, pero con TalkingPoints es algo nuevo y mejorado. Estoy muy feliz con esta aplicación porque se hace más fácil la comunicación entre padres de familia con los maestros muchas gracias se los agradezco mucho.
Building parents’ capacity to help at home
Me encanta porque estoy al pendiente de todo el progreso de mis hijas, y me dicen cómo ayudarlas. Y me agrada conocer a todas las maestras. Este año ha sido difícil por lo que está pasando y han bajado los grados mis hijas, pero confío en las maestras para poder sacarlas adelante.
Real-time updates from my child’s teacher
I thank you all for this because I can keep in touch with my kids’ teachers. We’re always talking about how my kids are doing, and when they need me, they message me on TalkingPoints. I’m grateful for TalkingPoints. As a parent, I like the teachers to keep me updated.
Text - no smart phone or computer needed!
I like it for my ELL families because they have the option of messaging via text. They don’t have to use an app or desktop. Most of the parents message me via text. New video w/cc feature is also great!
Powerful tool for all school staff
In honor of national school counseling week, I wanted to give a huge shout out to @TalkingPointsEd. My students speak 21 different languages, and I would be lost without it. It is truly critical in my work supporting families and making our school an equitable place to learn.
