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9 minute read
15 Jan 2024

Maximising Engagement: How Subtitles and Transcriptions Improve Multilingual Student Participation

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Student engagement is a cornerstone of academic success in universities. It refers to the degree of attention, curiosity, interest, and passion that students show when they are learning or being taught. This involvement goes beyond mere participation, inspiring students to take an active role in their education, leading to better learning outcomes and overall academic performance.

In our increasingly globalised society, classrooms are becoming more diverse. As such, universities are tasked with ensuring educational equity for students from different linguistic backgrounds. One method that has shown tremendous promise in this regard is the use of subtitles and transcriptions.

Subtitles and transcriptions are powerful tools for promoting student engagement, particularly among those whose first language is not English. By providing a written version of spoken language, these tools help eliminate linguistic barriers and promote understanding, thereby fostering an inclusive and engaging learning environment.

As we delve into this topic, we will uncover how subtitles and transcriptions can be transformative for multilingual student participation, thereby maximising engagement in our diverse educational landscape.

Understanding Multilingual Student Challenges

Multilingual students in higher education face numerous challenges that can impede their academic success and engagement. These obstacles range from understanding complex academic language to participating in classroom discussions.

Challenges Faced by Multilingual Students

  • Language proficiency: While multilingual students may be proficient in conversational English, they often struggle with academic English, which is rich in discipline-specific jargon and complex grammatical structures.
  • Cultural differences: Cultural nuances and unspoken rules can lead to misunderstandings and feelings of exclusion, thus affecting the students’ willingness to engage.
  • Participation in classroom discussions: Due to fear of miscommunication or making mistakes, these students may be reluctant to participate in class discussions, limiting their engagement and learning opportunities.

Importance of Addressing Language Barriers

Addressing these language barriers is crucial to ensure an inclusive and equitable learning environment. By eliminating these barriers, we enable multilingual students to fully engage in their education, fostering academic success and personal growth. Moreover, this can lead to increased diversity of thoughts and ideas, enriching the learning experience for all students.

Supporting Data and Statistics

The significance of addressing these challenges is reinforced by data. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that in 2019, nearly 10% of undergraduate students in the U.S. were non-native English speakers. Additionally, a study in the Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development found that providing linguistic support to these students led to a significant increase in their academic performance and engagement. This emphasises the importance and effectiveness of tools like subtitles and transcriptions in addressing the challenges faced by multilingual students.

The Power of Subtitles

Subtitles are textual representations of dialogue or narration displayed on screen during a video or film, usually at the bottom. They can be in the same language as the audio or translated into another language. When it comes to multilingual education, subtitles serve as a bridge that links the spoken content to students who may struggle with understanding it.

Understanding Subtitles

Subtitles, essentially, give a written version of the spoken language in a video. They can be key in helping students follow along, especially if the speaker has a thick accent or speaks at a fast pace. They also allow students to see the written form of new vocabulary words, aiding in their language learning process.

Benefits of Subtitles

  1. Enhanced comprehension for non-native speakers: By giving non-native speakers the chance to read what’s being spoken, subtitles enable them to better understand the concepts being taught. This is particularly beneficial when dealing with complex academic terms that may be difficult to grasp audibly.
  2. Improved retention of information: Research shows that subtitles can significantly improve the retention of information. By catering to both auditory and visual learners, they reinforce the learning process and help students remember the material better.
  3. Inclusivity for hearing-impaired students: For students with hearing impairments, subtitles are not just an enhancement but a necessity. They ensure these students aren’t left behind and have the same opportunities to learn and engage as their peers.

Case Studies of Effective Subtitle Implementation

  • University of Michigan: Implemented a program where all their online courses offer subtitles in English and several other languages. They reported an increase in engagement and course completion rates among non-native English speakers.
  • Monash University: This Australian university introduced an initiative requiring all course material to be subtitled. Student feedback showed that this significantly improved comprehension and engagement, particularly among international students.
  • University of Edinburgh: Successfully integrated subtitles in all their online courses. As well as improving engagement, Edinburgh found that the presence of subtitles also reduced drop-out rates among non-native English speakers.

Transcriptions: A Comprehensive Solution

Transcriptions are written or printed versions of dictated or recorded speech. In the context of education, transcriptions often refer to the process of converting lectures, discussions, or audiovisual content into written format. This textual representation of spoken materials serves as an invaluable resource, providing an alternative way to access and engage with educational content.

Advantages of Transcriptions for Multilingual Student Engagement

Transcriptions offer several key advantages in enhancing multilingual student engagement:

  1. Accessibility for students with disabilities: Transcriptions provide a critical accessibility feature. For students with hearing impairments, or those with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, transcriptions can make educational material more accessible and comprehensible.
  2. Facilitating note-taking and study aids: Transcriptions can serve as a valuable study aid. By providing a written account of lectures or discussions, they allow students to focus on understanding the content during class, rather than struggling to take extensive notes. This particularly benefits multilingual students who might need more time to process information.
  3. Aiding in language learning: By seeing words written out, multilingual students can better understand new vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, or complex syntactical structures in English. A written format allows them to revisit and study these aspects at their own pace.

Universities and Institutions Leading in Transcription Integration

Several forward-thinking institutions recognise the value of transcriptions and are leading the way in their implementation:

  • Harvard University: Known for their commitment to inclusive education, Harvard University incorporates transcriptions in their online course offerings, supporting not only their diverse student population but also their global learning community.
  • California State University: This institution has spearheaded efforts to integrate transcription services across their virtual learning platform, improving accessibility for multilingual and disabled students alike.
  • University of Toronto: As part of their accessibility services, the University of Toronto offers lecture transcriptions, ensuring all students have equal access to academic content.

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Amberscript: Transforming Transcriptions for Students

In the world of academic transcription services, Amberscript holds a prestigious position. We are a leading global service provider that utilises advanced technology to convert spoken language into written text. Catering to a diverse clientele, including students, educators, and researchers, Amberscript is paving the way for more inclusive and accessible education.

Leveraging Amberscript’s AI-Powered Technology to Benefit Students

Amberscript’s strength lies in its cutting-edge AI-powered technology, offering students numerous advantages:

  1. Accurate and Efficient Transcription Services: Amberscript’s AI-based system ensures high levels of accuracy, capturing even complex academic terms or phrases efficiently. This speed and accuracy facilitate real-time transcriptions, making it possible for students to access lecture content soon after it takes place.
  2. User-friendly Platform for Easy Access and Customisation: The platform is designed with user-friendliness at its core. It allows students to easily navigate, access and customize their transcriptions as per their requirements. This flexibility allows users to focus more on their studies rather than grappling with a complex interface.

How Subtitles and Transcriptions Improve Multilingual Student Participation

Incorporating subtitles and transcriptions into the educational process can sound intimidating, but with a step-by-step approach and the right resources, it becomes a manageable task.

Here is how:

  1. Choosing the right tools and software: The first step involves selecting a reliable transcription and subtitling service. One needs to consider factors such as accuracy, speed, and user-friendliness. In this regard, Amberscript stands out as an ideal choice. Its AI-powered technology ensures high levels of accuracy, providing real-time transcriptions that enhance lecture accessibility for multilingual students.
  2. Training faculty and staff: The second step is to train faculty and staff on how to best use these services. This could involve workshops or online training sessions, where educators are shown how to upload their lecture recordings, use the transcription software, and incorporate the transcriptions into their teaching materials.

Cost-Efficiency of Amberscript’s Solutions

One of the biggest advantages of Amberscript is its cost-efficiency. While some may assume that transcription services are expensive, this isn’t necessarily the case. Amberscript provides high-quality transcription services at competitive prices. Moreover, the benefits of increased student engagement and improved learning outcomes far outweigh the costs, making it a worthwhile investment for institutions.

Addressing Common Concerns and Misconceptions

Some common misconceptions surrounding transcription services include the fear of technology replacing educators, or the assumption that all students will solely rely on transcriptions and neglect attending lectures. However, it’s important to dispel these misconceptions by emphasising that transcription services are not replacements for traditional teaching methods. Instead, they complement these methods by offering alternative ways to access and understand educational content. As for the concern about students skipping lectures, studies have shown that transcriptions actually improve lecture attendance as students feel more engaged and supported in their learning.

Technological Advancements

The field of automatic transcription and translation is one that is constantly evolving, spurred on by the rapid advancements in technology. A number of emerging technologies promise to increase the efficiency and accuracy of these services. For instance, machine learning algorithms and Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques are being deployed to increase the accuracy of transcription services. Amberscript, a frontrunner in this domain, heavily leverages AI technology to transcribe and translate spoken language into written text, catering to multiple languages and dialects with impressive precision.

Future Trends and Improvements in Subtitle and Transcription Services

Looking ahead, we can expect several exciting trends in transcription and subtitling services:

  1. Improved Accuracy: With growing technological advancements, we can anticipate further improvements in the accuracy of transcriptions, even in the face of complex academic language or regional accents.
  2. Real-Time Transcriptions & Translations: As processing speeds increase, more services might offer real-time transcription and translation, making it easier for non-native students to follow along during lectures.
  3. Integration with Learning Management Systems: We may see tighter integration between transcription services like Amberscript and Learning Management Systems, creating a seamless learning experience for students.

The Imperative for Universities to Stay Up-to-Date with Technology

In a world that is increasingly digitized, it is crucial for universities to keep pace with advancements in technology. The integration of transcription and translation services represents one such opportunity. Not only do these services support non-native and hearing-impaired students, but they also promote better engagement among all students. Amberscript’s advanced transcription services provide a cost-effective, user-friendly solution that can significantly boost student engagement and participation. By staying up-to-date with innovations like Amberscript, universities can ensure they are providing an inclusive, accessible, and engaging learning environment for all students.

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Potential Drawbacks and Mitigation Strategies

While subtitles and transcriptions hold immense potential in fostering multilingual student engagement, it is imperative to address the potential drawbacks of over-reliance on these tools:

  • Dependency: Over-reliance on transcriptions could lead to an excessive dependency among students, potentially hindering their active listening skills and their ability to understand spoken language in real-time.
  • Socio-cultural nuances: Subtitles and transcriptions, despite being accurate, might miss out on conveying the socio-cultural nuances embedded in verbal communication.
  • Technical glitches: As with any tech-based services, there could be instances of technical issues or downtime, affecting the availability of transcriptions.

Mitigating Potential Issues

Amberscript, with its advanced features, aids in mitigating these potential issues:

  • Balancing dependency: To avoid over-dependency, faculty can use transcriptions as a supplementary tool rather than a primary resource. For example, during a lecture, educators can encourage students to first listen and understand the spoken language, using the transcription as a reference for clarification or review.
  • Cultural context: Amberscript’s translation services account for cultural context to a certain extent by accommodating regional dialects and language variations.
  • Reliable service: Offering high uptime and reliable performance, Amberscript ensures that technical issues have a minimal impact on student learning.

Encouraging a Balanced Approach

While embracing the benefits of subtitles and transcriptions, it is vital to maintain a balanced approach. It’s not about replacing traditional learning methods but supplementing them with technology. Transcriptions should act as a support structure for understanding lectures and not become the sole method of learning. A balanced blend of listening, note-taking, and reviewing transcriptions can help maximise student engagement while ensuring well-rounded language development.

Case Studies: Success Stories

Several universities globally have embraced transcription and subtitling services, enhancing accessibility and student engagement. Here are a few notable examples:

  • University of Amsterdam: Adopting Amberscript’s services, this university significantly improved the learning experience for its multilingual student body, with greater comprehension of lectures and increased participation in class discussions.
  • University of Barcelona: Implementing subtitles and transcriptions through Amberscript resulted in higher rates of student engagement, particularly among international students who found the features invaluable for understanding complex academic content.
Dr. D. van Middelkoop

“We collect a lot of qualitative data in different projects. Thanks to our collaboration with Amberscript, we are guaranteed good and timely transcriptions of our interviews, and we are able to focus our own attention on the analysis.”

Dr. D. van Middelkoop, a researcher for the University of Applied Sciences Amsterdam (HvA) since 2011
Prof Rafa Martínez profile picture

“Amberscript offers a very competitive quality of service, and without doubt, the data protection is perfect to satisfy all the requirements of the ethics commissions; as well as to protect the data of all interviewees.”

Prof Rafa Martínez, Professor of Political Science and Public Administration at University of Barcelona, Director of GRAPA (Group of Research and Analysis on Public Administration), Associate Researcher of CIDOB

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