Can I request an interpreter for a parent-teacher meeting at a Korean school?

Yes, you can ask, and it is not an unusual request. Elementary schools frequently have children from multicultural families and most have handled this before.

Tell the homeroom teacher first, through the notebook, the school app, or by calling the school office. Saying that your Korean may not be enough to follow everything and that you would appreciate an interpreter or someone who can assist is sufficient.

Where a school has a multicultural support teacher or a bilingual instructor, that person usually sits in — this is the most common arrangement. If the school has no such staff, it can often arrange interpretation through the education office. Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education runs multicultural education support, so your homeroom teacher can check what is available.

If the school route does not work, the local family centre offers translation and interpretation services, and many of them will accompany you to a school meeting. Calling the Danuri call centre on 1577-1366 gets you guidance in thirteen languages and a connection to your nearest family centre. For something more immediate, BBB Korea on 1588-5644 is a free phone interpretation service, and using it on speakerphone during the meeting itself is something people genuinely do.

Ask at least a week before the counselling week, since assigning an interpreter takes time. And write down three or four questions in Korean beforehand — how your child gets on with classmates, whether they are following lessons, what would help at home, and how you should receive notices and supply lists. With a short meeting slot, having those written out is what lets you cover everything that matters.