Translation: A Problem-solving Procedure For Algerian English Learners

Résumé: Although the use of translation in learning a foreign language (FL) is banned and discouraged by many language teachers, this technique is widely used by EFL learners in their learning process. It appears that they often use translation as a learning strategy to comprehend, remember, and produce a FL i.e. they utilize their L1 knowledge in order to solve a production or learning problem in FL. However, relatively little research attention seems to have been devoted to a consideration of the use of translation in language learning. Thus, the present paper investigates Algerian EFL university students’ use of translation as a writing strategy. The data collected from a production task (a narrative essay writing) and think-aloud protocols will address the following questions: 1) How do Algerian EFL students use translation to solve their writing problems? 2) To what extent are these writers successful in their linguistic production when using translation? The results will give insights into how Algerian EFL learners use translation from L1 in their FL writing, and therefore will enable the development of a technique for teaching learners how to help themselves by using effectively translation.

Publié dans la revue: مجلة الآداب و اللغات