Translation in the language classroom: Multilingualism, diversity, collaboration

Abstract

The aim of this article is to discuss the ways in which translation can be used to foster multilingual competence and intercultural awareness in the foreign language classroom. While translation was described as a vital skill for foreign language learners in a European Commission study (2013), it has also been criticised for hindering the objectives of communicative approaches. This article draws on a number of examples and strategies to examine the potential of translation and, ultimately, to demonstrate how translation can play a key role in language teaching. The translation activities that have been selected place emphasis on collaboration and are designed to challenge cultural stereotypes, as well as monolingual and monocultural assumptions. Translation is presented both as a skill in itself and as a versatile pedagogical tool to improve learners’ confidence, critical thinking, and intercultural competence, both in curricular and in extra-curricular settings.