Luis Charris Essay

Translation, good or bad for learning a second language

 By Luis Charris

The use of translation in learning of a second language has been questioned for several decades, and today the conception is so bad that it is hardly used in classrooms anymore. However, this point of view has been questioned by some researchers on the subject, eg Later Duff (1989) spoke about translation and said that using it could benefit second language learners so that they can improve their accuracy, Clarity and flexibility. Somehow the use of translation can be useful in language learning, although it should not be used at all times, it should play some role in the language learning process.

Later Duff was not the only researcher to support this idea of ​​using translation, as Liao (2006) mentioned that the use of the translation has been revoked not only by some research but by teachers who have said that it should not be used , But it has not seen the perspective of the students; because they use this strategy in the learning process by making a comparison of the grammatical structures of the target language with the native, in addition "it seems that students often use the translation As a learning strategy to understand, remember and produce a foreign language. "

In conclusion, we can say that the proper use of translation in classrooms can be of benefit to students, by giving them some cognitive skills that will help them to have more accuracy and clarity about the language they have learned.

References: Liao, P. (2006). EFL Learners' Beliefs about and Strategy Use of Translation in English Learning. RELC Journal, 37(2), 191-215. doi:10.1177/0033688206067428. Retrieved from http://posenliao.idv.tw/doc/EFL_Learners_Beliefs_about_and_Strategy_Use.pdf