Scratch Language

Beginner

60 mins

Teacher/Student led

+60 XP

What you need:
Chromebook/Laptop/PC or iPad/Tablet

Translate

In this engaging lesson, you'll learn to build a language translator using Scratch. Follow step-by-step instructions to translate text into various languages and make a sprite speak the translations aloud. Start coding and explore new languages today!

Learning Goals Learning Outcomes Teacher Notes Lesson Files

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1 Introduction
2 Create a new project
3 Add the Translate extension
4 Add the Text to Speech extension
5 Add the Kai sprite
Challenge
Quiz

1 - Introduction

Welcome to our exciting lesson on translating languages! In this lesson, you will learn how to use Scratch to translate text into different languages and make a sprite speak the translation out loud. This is a fun way to learn about different languages and how to use coding to create a mini language translator. Let's get started!

2 - Create a new project

Go to the Scratch website and create a new project, you can delete the cat sprite.

https://scratch.mit.edu/

Scratch: How to create a new project

Go to the Scratch website using the link below and click on the 'Create' link in the blue bar at the top.

By default, each new project starts with the cat sprite already added. To delete the cat click on the x in the blue circle beside the cat in the sprite list.

https://scratch.mit.edu

👇 Mark your steps as done as you complete them.

+5 XP

3 - Add the Translate extension

Now, we are going to add a special tool to our project called the Translate extension.

This extension will help us translate words or sentences from one language to another. It's like having a mini language translator in our project! To add this, look for the button that says 'Extensions' at the bottom left corner of your Scratch screen and click on it. Then, find the 'Translate' extension and click on it to add it to your project.

Scratch: How to add extension blocks

Understanding and Adding Extensions in Scratch

What are Scratch Extensions?

Scratch Extensions are additional sets of blocks that expand the capabilities of your Scratch projects. They allow you to:

Mention extensions like Pen here
Connect with external hardware (e.g., microbits)
Access web-based services (e.g., Google Translate, Amazon Text to Speech)
Use more advanced programming features

How Extensions Work

When you add an extension to your project:

New blocks appear in the blocks palette
These blocks are grouped under a category named after the extension
You can use these blocks just like any other Scratch blocks

Adding an Extension to Your Project

Look for the "Add Extension" button in the bottom-left corner of the Scratch editor
Click the "Add Extension" button
A window will open showing all available extensions
Browse through the options or use the search bar to find a specific extension
Click on the extension you want to add
The extension is now added to your project, and its blocks appear in the blocks palette

+10 XP

4 - Add the Text to Speech extension

Now, let's add another cool tool to our project, the Text to Speech extension.

This extension will allow our sprite to speak out loud the translations we make! It's like giving a voice to our sprite. To add this, look for the button that says 'Extensions' at the bottom left corner of your Scratch screen and click on it. Then, find the 'Text to Speech' extension and click on it to add it to your project.

Scratch: How to add extension blocks

Understanding and Adding Extensions in Scratch

What are Scratch Extensions?

Scratch Extensions are additional sets of blocks that expand the capabilities of your Scratch projects. They allow you to:

Mention extensions like Pen here
Connect with external hardware (e.g., microbits)
Access web-based services (e.g., Google Translate, Amazon Text to Speech)
Use more advanced programming features

How Extensions Work

When you add an extension to your project:

New blocks appear in the blocks palette
These blocks are grouped under a category named after the extension
You can use these blocks just like any other Scratch blocks

Adding an Extension to Your Project

Look for the "Add Extension" button in the bottom-left corner of the Scratch editor
Click the "Add Extension" button
A window will open showing all available extensions
Browse through the options or use the search bar to find a specific extension
Click on the extension you want to add
The extension is now added to your project, and its blocks appear in the blocks palette

+10 XP

5 - Add the Kai sprite

Add the Kai sprite from the library. We will use this sprite to ask what you want to translate and to say the answer.

Add the following code to the Kai sprite to position him in the centre.

when green flag clicked go to x: (0) y: (0)

Once you've added the code, click on the green flag and Kai should go to the middle of the stage area.

Scratch: How to add a sprite from the library

To add a sprite from the sprite library follow these steps:

Put your mouse over the Choose a Sprite button
Click on the magnifying glass
Find the sprite you want in the library
Click on your chosen sprite

You can use search box or the filter links (Animals, People, Fantasy etc) to locate your sprite.

+10 XP

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Copyright Notice
This lesson is copyright of Coding Ireland 2017 - 2025. Unauthorised use, copying or distribution is not allowed.

Scratch is developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab. It is available for free at https://scratch.mit.edu

Your Answer or Description of Your Work

Project URL This can be a link to your project (e.g. a Scratch, Microbit, Arcade or CodePen URL link).

Upload File

You must be logged into Scratch to share your project, otherwise the link will not work.

To get the URL link of your Scratch project:

Make sure you're logged into Scratch.
Click on the Share button in the project editor.
Click on the Copy Link button.
Click on the Copy Link link. This will save the URL of your project page into your clipboard.

To get the URL link of your Microbit project:

Click on the button in the project editor.
Click on the Publish Project button.
Click on the Copy button. This will save the URL of your project page into your clipboard.

To get the URL link of your Arcade project:

Click on the button in the project editor.
Click on the Publish Project button.
Click on the Copy button. This will save the URL of your project page into your clipboard.

To get the URL link of your CodePen project:

Make sure you're logged into CodePen.
Open your project in the editor.
Click on the Save button at the top of the editor.
Copy the link from the address bar in your web browser (e.g. https://codepen.io/Jane-Smith/pen/gOVXxBQ)

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Teacher Class Feed

1 - Introduction

Send your work to your teacher

2 - Create a new project

Send your work to your teacher

3 - Add the Translate extension

Understanding and Adding Extensions in Scratch

What are Scratch Extensions?

How Extensions Work

Adding an Extension to Your Project

Send your work to your teacher

4 - Add the Text to Speech extension

Understanding and Adding Extensions in Scratch

What are Scratch Extensions?

How Extensions Work

Adding an Extension to Your Project

Send your work to your teacher

5 - Add the Kai sprite

Send your work to your teacher

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