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#2 (permalink) Wed Sep 17, 2008 13:33 pm How to stop ESL learners from translating? |
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. Well, to be honest, that excerpt (part 17) seems to offer only one suggestion, Torsten: 'just relax'. Easily said, and I say it twice a day, but translating is more ingrained in adult learners than that-- saying 'relax' is just one more conscious rule they must follow.
No, I don't have an answer. I try to get them involved enough and communicating briskly enough at the appropriate level of challenge that translation is at least partially by-passed. . _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
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Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13015
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#3 (permalink) Wed Sep 17, 2008 13:56 pm How to stop ESL learners from translating? |
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Hi Charles,
The first step for a learner of English to stop translating back and forth is to be aware of the subconscious translation process. Since the vast majority of all learners of English are not aware of the fact that they constantly try to translate into their native language they can't avoid it. So this article is about raising awareness and trying to come up with solutions.
TOEIC listening, photographs: A riverside |
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Torsten Learning Coach

Joined: 25 Sep 2003 Posts: 14503 Location: EU
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#4 (permalink) Wed Sep 17, 2008 14:04 pm How to stop ESL learners from translating? |
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When learning a new language, I find it helps to associate new words with thoughts and images, rather than the equivalent English words. But I expect that's a common experience.
MrP |
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MrPedantic I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 1326 Location: Southern England
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#5 (permalink) Wed Sep 17, 2008 14:07 pm How to stop ESL learners from translating? |
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. Hell, there's nothing subconscious about my students' translation-- often, it's not even silent! . _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
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Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13015
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