Language Translation – Instructional Uses

A new girl entered my grade-level reading class at the beginning of this year. She was brand new to the school and to the country. She came from Korea and did not speak a word of English. I do not speak a word of Korean. This was obviously a problem. We have an ESOL teacher who is in the building two days per week. The other three days, the girl was struggling with communication, so were her teachers. Several of my instructional ideas cite how I could have helped this student if I would have been aware of the various translation web sites.

1. Reading article/textbook section. One solution would be to translate an article or a section of a textbook for the non-English speaking student. She would be reading the same content as the other students but in her own language.

2. Communication with the student and her parents. Directions, homework, and long-range assignments could be translated for the student prior to class. This would take a little extra time but would be invaluable in the long run. For parents, progress reports, notes, and newsletters from school could be translated and sent home.

3. The translation program could also work in reverse. The student could type in her native language and translate to English. He or she could communicate her needs and questions to the teacher. I think this would also help the student learn English.

Translation can also be a learning tool for English speaking students in the school.

4. All sixth graders in the school where I work take a FLEX class (Foreign Language Experience). The students get a taste of several different languages and cultures. I think translation web sites would be a great way to introduce students to a language. Using a projection device and a computer, the teacher could teach students to say “hello” in 10 different languages in a single class period! It is yet another way to integrate technology into the classroom.

5. In Geography class, students study various countries throughout the world. As a culminating assignment, each student does and in-depth research project on a country. Translation software opens a world of information for students doing research projects. They could e-mail a student their age in the country to inquire about life as a teenager. In addition, entire websites about that country could be translated into English. By translating from the native language, students would get an inside view of life in that country.

Translation Text Blocks

English

My house is beautiful. It has a large living room with two couches and a vast entertainment center. The turtle lives in a tank in the living room. Behind the living room is an office room where I spend a lot of time working on the computer. Next to the office room, there is an extra bedroom. It is mostly used for storage. The bathroom is next to the spare bedroom. The kitchen is very large and bright. All the appliances are white, the walls are white, and the cabinets are white. It is the brightest room in the house. The master bedroom is large and decorated in navy blue. The sliding doors of the closets are mirrors. Outside the house there is a large deck, a carport, and a shed.

Translation to German

Mein Haus ist schön. Es hat ein großes Wohnzimmer mit zwei Couches und einem riesengroßen Unterhaltungszentrum. Die Schildkröte lebt in einem Tank im Wohnzimmer. Hinter dem Wohnzimmer ist ein Büroraum(Bürozimmer), wo ich viel Zeit verbringe(ausgebe), die am Computer arbeitet. Neben dem Büroraum(Bürozimmer) gibt es ein Extraschlafzimmer. Es wird größtenteils für Lagerung verwendet. Das Badezimmer ist neben dem Ersatzschlafzimmer. Die Küche ist sehr groß und hell. Alle Geräte sind weiß, die Wände sind weiß, und die Kabinette sind weiß. Es ist der hellste Raum(Zimmer) im Haus. Das große Schlafzimmer ist groß und in marineblau geschmückt. Die Schiebetüren der Wandschränke sind Spiegel. Außerhalb des Hauses gibt es eine große Plattform, einen Einstellplatz, und eine Hütte.

Translation to French

Ma maison est belle. Il a une grande salle de séjour avec deux divans et un centre de divertissement énorme. La tortue vit dans un réservoir dans la salle de séjour. Derrière la salle de séjour est une pièce(chambre) de bureau où je dépense(passe) la plupart de temps travaillant sur l'ordinateur. À côté de la pièce(chambre) de bureau, il y a une chambre à coucher supplémentaire. Il est surtout utilisé pour le stockage. La salle de bains est à côté de la chambre d'ami. La cuisine est très grande et brillante. Tous les appareils sont blancs, les murs sont blancs et les cabinets sont blancs. C'est la pièce(chambre) la plus brillante dans la maison. La chambre principale est grande et décorée dans bleu marine. Les portes glissantes des cabinets sont des miroirs. À l'extérieur de la maison il y a un grand pont, un auvent et un abri.

Translation to Spanish

Mi casa es hermosa. Esto tiene una sala de estar grande con dos canapé y un centro de hospitalidad enorme. La tortuga vive en un tanque en la sala de estar. Detrás de la sala de estar es un espacio(cuarto) de oficina donde gasto(paso) mucho tiempo que trabaja sobre el ordenador. Al lado del espacio(cuarto) de oficina, hay un dormitorio suplementario. Esto sobre todo es usado para el almacenaje. El cuarto de baño está al lado del dormitorio de repuesto. La cocina es muy grande y brillante. Todas las aplicaciones son blancas, las paredes son blancas, y los gabinetes son blancos. Esto es el espacio(cuarto) más brillante en la casa. La recámara principal está grande y decorada en azul marino. Las puertas que se deslizan de los armarios son espejos. Fuera de la casa hay una cubierta grande, un garaje abierto, y un cobertizo.