Translation Skill in Language Learning/ Teaching: EFL Learners’ Point of View

Abstract

This study seeks to investigate EFL students’ perception of the benefits of translationas a skill for their languagelearning instead of as a mere tool in the learning process, and the relevance of a translation coursein their study program. Ninety-five Indonesian university students of an English Department taking an EFLteacher training program participated in this study by filling in a questionnaire using a four point Likertscale with items consisting of complementary open and closed ended questions. The responses showan overwhelming favorable response towards the merits of translation as a skill for their L2 languagelearning regardless of their L2 (English) proficiency, which was represented by their GPA. Most participantsalso believed that a translation course is very relevant to their study although translation is not an intendedcareer path for the program’s graduates. This study further challenges the belief that translation is harmfulfor learners’ language acqusition and therefore should be avoided in language learning/ teaching.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.sal.0.29.14580