Why do we need to learn MFL when we have Google?
This point was raised at an EDIFF conference, which was later the topic of an audioboo by Nick Hood. It is an important topic, especially in this economic climate, as if Google and other online translators work fine enough, why is there need to employ language teachers? Yes, I am slightly biased about this as I’m a languages geek and prospective languages teacher but despite this, I do believe that they play a vital role.
Let us look, firstly, at the problems with online translation. Unless you send whatever you wish to be translated to a company with human translators, it will be translated by computer. The websites vary in quality, but most translate word for word. These websites are every MFL teacher’s nightmare. A very basic example of where word by word translation is the phrase “I am hot” and lets put this into French, for example. You mean to say that I feel hot, so you type it into an online translator and it spits out “Je suis chaude”. Now, if you say this to a fluent French speaker, they may start to back away slowly, depending on the circumstances… What you actually mean to say is “J’ai chaude”. It’s a simple example, but important in showing the importance of how having the basic knowledge of the language can save you from an awkward situation. Obviously, when it comes to communicating more in depth topics, word by word translation does not suffice.
Another downside to electronic translation is that you lose the human contact involved. You lose the passing on of knowledge from one to another and with it, the culture. Do not forget that in going to French/German/Spanish classes at school, you not only learn how to say things in the language, you learn about the culture of the country.
There are numerous benefits to learning MFLs. Most of us will come across foreign languages at least once or twice over the courses of our lives, especially those who like to travel. If you do not know how to speak the native language of the country you are in/person you are speaking to, you rely on their knowledge of your language. But what happens if neither of you know the others mother tongue? Will it get to the point in the future when we all will have to have miniature translating computers just to talk to foreigners?
To become a certified teacher of a language, you must have been a resident in a country that speaks the language for a minimum of 13 weeks. By doing this, you gain first hand experience of language in work and become fluent in it. This, you can then apply to your teaching which I have found enriches the pupil’s learning experience. You can learn a lot more about a culture from a person’s experiences than you can from a textbook that quickly goes out of date.
Technology, however, must not be seen to have a detrimental effect on the learning of MFLs. Sites such as Linguascope and Languages Online provide valuable resources and games in the target language from a basic level all the way up to Advanced Higher/A Level standard. I have found from peer support in the younger classes that through playing games, junior pupils do not realise that they are learning and have a lot more fun that they would copying out of a textbook.
The Internet also makes correspondence with pen pals, sharing of photos, access to international news and TV easier. This is becoming more important as technology develops and the demand to incorporate it into education increases. A website that I aim to use with the MFL club I am starting up is ePals which allows you to link with other classes world wide and share information, do projects etc.
I believe that a blend of both teacher expertise and technology gives the best learning experience for the pupil.
B x
