Small Nonprofit Event Case Study

How can a student program offer flexible translation for debates and workshops?

A hands-on civic learning program needs language support that adapts to its format: multiple languages, simultaneous sessions, and last-minute schedule changes, all without the cost and rigidity of traditional interpreters. A small Canadian nonprofit focused on student civic education faced exactly that as it built a program of debates, workshops, and simulations meant to be accessible to students from many language backgrounds while staying within a modest budget.

Four main challenges emerged:

• Language Accessibility: Students needed to follow discussions in multiple languages, including those from multilingual households.‍
• Budget Constraints: Traditional interpretation services and equipment were too costly, and bulky headsets were impractical for teen participants.‍
• Flexible Translation Needs: The program required language support that could adapt to schedule changes and simultaneous sessions, without being tied to rigid interpreter availability.‍
• Seamless Learning: Traditional translation options, like headsets, could be awkward or distracting, making it harder for students to engage comfortably.

Can students access translation discreetly without wearing headsets?

Yes. With Wordly, students follow discussions in their preferred language privately on their own devices, with no bulky headsets and nothing that makes them stand out, so the focus stays on learning rather than the technology. The nonprofit brought Wordly's real-time AI translation and captions into the program, which delivered:

• Inclusive Access: Students could follow discussions in multiple languages using their own devices, creating a program that was welcoming to everyone.‍
• Budget-Friendly: The platform offered education translation at a fraction of the cost of live interpreters, with flexible pay-as-you-go options that allowed the nonprofit to stay within budget.‍
• Flexible and Easy to Use: Students could access translation anytime by scanning a QR code on their devices. No bulky equipment was required.‍
• Undetectable Access: Translation on personal devices let students follow discussions privately and seamlessly, keeping the focus on learning rather than on the technology.

This approach allowed the nonprofit to provide meaningful civic learning experiences to students without compromising accessibility or exceeding budget limits.

Does discreet translation help students take part more confidently?

Yes. At peak, 73% of students actively used Wordly, and because translation blended quietly into the experience on their own devices rather than standing out, teens from diverse language backgrounds took part more confidently and naturally. Other results included:

• Accessible Program Within Budget: Multilingual access was provided without sacrificing other program elements.‍
• Realistic Learning Experience: Students could follow discussions in real time, reflecting how civic processes operate in practice.‍
• Operational Flexibility: Staff could adjust sessions freely without negotiating interpreter schedules.

About Wordly

Wordly helps make every meeting, event, and conference instantly accessible across languages.Its AI-powered platform provides accurate translation and captioning in dozens of languages, along with transcripts and summaries, streamlining communication at any scale. Attendees can join via a simple QR code or link, with no downloads or extra equipment required, ensuring seamless participation for virtual, hybrid, or in-person events.

Enterprise-ready, secure, and compliant, Wordly supports everything from small team meetings to large international conferences. It allows everyone to follow along, contribute, and engage without the expense and logistics of human interpreters.

See it in action – book a personalized demo.