How our translations community is bringing micro:bit to more learners worldwide
Providing access to our resources in multiple languages is essential, to help us inspire every child around the world to create their best digital future.
The 'Alerted by the River' do your :bit project team, from Ceibal's Olympiad in Uruguay
microbit.org is available in 16 languages, Microsoft MakeCode is available in 35 languages and the number of open projects is now 140.
We have recently completed translations for MakeCode in Vietnamese, microbit.org in Irish and micro:bit CreateAI is available in 9 languages. We rely on our incredible network of volunteers to help do this. Meet some of our amazing translators and find out why they participate.
Dolly Lee, Mandarin and Traditional Chinese translator
Dolly Lee, Mandarin and Traditional Chinese
When you translate, you're not just converting words - you're conveying the full meaning and intent, making sure the message resonates with the person on the other side.
I plan to translate every Saturday morning. I've found that dedicating a consistent block of time each week works best for me. This helps me stay on track and ensure I'm regularly contributing. Even if I just have a couple of hours, I can make a real impact on a project. What I enjoy most is bridging the gap between people and information. I get a lot of satisfaction from helping people understand something meaningful in their native language, whether it’s a programming language, a programming document, or a piece of educational content. I participate in community translation because it's a direct way for me to use my language skills and domain knowledge to help others. My experience in programming and education gives me a unique perspective on certain documents, allowing me to provide a more accurate and nuanced translation. I feel it's a powerful way to contribute to a cause I care about while also putting my professional expertise to good use.
Duru Chidi, Igbo translator
Duru Chidi, Igbo
It allows me to connect with a global community and feel that I’m part of something that bridges cultures.
Translation has become a regular part of my week. I dedicate several evenings and some weekend hours to it. It’s meaningful enough to me that I prioritize it alongside my other responsibilities. I enjoy the challenge of finding just the right words and expressions to capture meaning while keeping the text natural.
Veronica Cavicci, Italian translator
Veronica Cavicchi, Italian
Even small acts of translation carry the power to open doors - because when resources speak your language, creativity belongs to you.
For me, even a single translated page can open a door. Translating is never just about words - it is about inclusion. Every time I contribute, I imagine a teacher or a student who feels more confident and supported because the resources speak their own language. That possibility makes even a small effort meaningful. I believe education should never be limited by language. Translation turns equity into practice - it allows creativity and coding to belong to everyone, not just to those fluent in English. Being part of this community means contributing to a global movement where learning becomes truly accessible. I usually fit translation into quiet moments at the end of the day or during weekends, in between my work as a teacher of Mathematics and Physics and my training activities for teachers on digital innovation, robotics, AI and IoT. It is never about the quantity of time I give, but the quality: a way of transforming a short pause into an act of sharing.
Cristina Velazquez, Spanish translator
Cristina Velazquez, Spanish
My main motivation is the desire to empower other educators with a clear goal: to eliminate language barriers and democratize access to quality learning.
For me, voluntary translation is not an additional job, but a natural extension of my innovation project, 'La Escuela Digital de Proyectos (EDP)'. It is an integral part of my professional agenda and my personal development goals. What I enjoy most is the feeling that I can be a bridge of knowledge. Translating technical content is not just about transferring text; it is about decoding a concept and culturally adapting it for a Spanish-speaking audience. I love the reward of knowing that I am helping a complex concept become clear and easy to understand for an educator or a student in their native language. I see community translation as a personal and professional mission. By participating in this project, I am helping thousands of young Spanish speakers worldwide have the opportunity to learn to code, think creatively, and develop the skills necessary for a digital future.
Manon Jones, Welsh translator
Manon Jones, Welsh
micro:bit is one now one of those rare resources that is completely accessible to our Welsh speaking pupils.
I’ve loved translating the micro:bit coding platform in Welsh. Teaching through the medium of Welsh presents its challenges, especially having almost no resources available in our first language. Thank you for the opportunity to make this possible for our country's future change makers.
Vasiliki Psaridou, Greek translator
Vasiliki Psaridou, Greek
I enjoy translating because it helps children understand technology in their own language. I like making knowledge accessible to everyone and seeing students learn with confidence.
Maria Lluisa Farreros, Catalan translator
Maria Lluisa Farreros, Catalan
I take part in community translation because it gives my students the opportunity to learn in their own language, which is in danger as there are only 6 million speakers.
I translate when I can, especially when I go up and down the lift at home if there are short strings, or while I am having breakfast if it is longer. I enjoy it because I can learn about new features sooner than other colleagues, and I am updated about the program.
Fabrizia Agnello, Italian translator
Fabrizia Agnello, Italian
I volunteer as a translator for micro:bit because I really enjoy making technology more accessible to people in their native language.
I fit in translation in my free time, in the early morning or in the evening after work. What I enjoy the most is helping others learning coding in their own language, and being part of an international community. I believe translation is a way to spread knowledge and to support education everywhere. And this is why I invite all Italian speakers to 'creare, imparare, programmare' with micro:bit!
Join the translation team
There are no set hours as volunteer translator. You can take on as much translation work as you like to suit you. As well as supporting young people to develop programming skills, you will gain valuable work experience that you can use to help develop your career. We also award digital badges to translators quarterly as part of our volunteer rewards programme.
We are looking for people to help support the language projects for:
- Arabic
- Chinese (simplified)
- Chinese (traditional)
- Korean
- Malay
- Welsh
Get in touch to find out more!
