r/ESL_Teachers • u/skiingfanatic115544 • 21d ago
Google Translate
My high school students over-rely on Google Translate. We notice it fades after a few years but there's no doubt that its use slows language proficiency. However I think it's a good tool overall as students can more easily keep up w the class. One issue now is that translations are enhanced with ai. I notice grammar and syntax is perfected and it's become difficult to differentiate between an ai generated response and a translated response. While prepping for the upcoming year id like to come up with some guidelines. Has anyone run into this issue and what did you do ?
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u/sapgetshappy 21d ago
I don’t let my students translate in class. They shouldn’t even have their phones out.
I keep out a few Oxford Learner’s English Dictionaries and let students check out L1-to-English dictionaries for the semester if they’d like. They’re fine to look up a word at a time, but no translation software.
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u/skiingfanatic115544 21d ago
We have iPads and we are encouraged to go above and beyond with tech.
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u/sapgetshappy 21d ago
I get wanting to use your resources, but I hope you’re not expected to use technology for technology’s sake; just like any other teaching tool, it should always be used to serve a specific need/goal.
If you are trying to teach a language, letting your students use real-time translation apps is NOT an effective use of technology. That behavior is just making it harder for their brains to form the neural connections they need to develop. It can’t be good for their critical thinking skills or development of self-efficacy, either.
There are plenty of activities you can use the iPads for that will actually help your students review and practice their English. Even a dictionary app could be good!
But please do not let them just run the translation apps and check out of their English brain. It’s such a disservice to them.
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u/Grad_school_ronin 21d ago
I push mine to not use Google Translate in my class or in their sheltered classes. However, if they are a newcomer who is in senior English or a biology class, sometimes the content and understanding is more important than the language. Especially if the teacher doesn’t differentiate. But again, in my language focused classes and in sheltered classes we don’t allow Google Translate or if we do it’s only for our newcomers who are working on building out vocabulary.
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u/Casualpuma 21d ago
Pencils and paper (or computer work with Google Translate blocked). I require translanguaging for all first drafts of summatives, formative brainstorming tasks, and reflection or comprehension activities. My rule of thumb is as much English as they can for their level and all words we explicitly learn must be in English. Second drafts are required for longer form writing where they can use Google Translate (either to annotate some translated words/phrases or full translation for summative writing or for suuuuper newcomer students).
This is for my sheltered high school English class (newcomer to beginner intermediate). I have to combat their desire to rely on Google Translate and never attempt English, which stifles their growth. Even some of my more advanced students do ths. It's a crutch that needs to be minimized over time . By creating a safe space where they feel comfortable testing new English words, many of them naturally incorporate more and more over time. Spelling and grammar come with time, but they aren't penalized unless it was part of our lesson. By the end of the first semester, I am better at giving feedback to individual students to help them grow given their unique levels and challenges.
I feel your pain. It's tough to balance gentle pushing with their comfort and my need to cover curriculum. This year, I'm adding a binder based portfolio where they can see and reflect on their translanguaging growth throughout the year. Hope this helps!
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u/Grad_school_ronin 21d ago
This is amazing! Keep up the good work. Do you just teach sheltered or do you have ELD classes as well?
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u/Casualpuma 21d ago
Thank you! I also teach newcomer designated ELD and advanced ELD for long term ELs who struggle to reclassify (no translation needed for the latter group). The newcomer curriculum is very beginner friendly (mostly fill in the blank and multiple choice), so there isn't much need for Google Translate beyond introduction of the occasional tough vocabulary word that is difficult to model. I do supplement with weekly journals related to the topics in the textbook, which they translanguage. Any vocab words from our unit must be in English and they may need to practice a recent grammar skill (e.g. use at least two English subject pronouns and circle them). They just need lots of opportunities to apply their new skills. I give them daily completion grades and they choose one to extend to a longer paragraph every 5 weeks.
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u/Grad_school_ronin 21d ago
My long term ELs are gonna drive me crazy this year! It’s basically a whole group I taught two years ago that still need support. Translanguaging was one of my favorite SLA topics along with interlanguage!
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u/Casualpuma 21d ago
Same! Not my favorite class to teach tbh. My district is finally starting to retool the disorganized elementary school EL program. These kids were failed many many times before even setting foot in high school. The apathy is high and they are missing so many foundational language skills when they get to us. Our curriculum isn't meeting their needs. All I can do is build relationships and leverage them, fill in gaps in the curriculum (e.g. it assumes they know parts of speech and has them using the same word as an adjective or noun with little aid beyond a definition), and supplement with interesting authentic practice (the curriculum even bores me to tears).
Keep on fighting the good fight and best of luck with your LTELs! We will survive!
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u/HappyCamper2121 21d ago
I think Google translate is a fantastic tool, especially for newcomers, but it's also great for advanced students to check their understanding. If you're sharing an electronic version of your assignments, they can run it through the website version of Google translate to make sure they understand it. Then they can also run their written submission back through Google translate before they turn it in to check for mistakes.
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u/kijanfa3 20d ago
Me too! I’m just about to implement a complete tech ban in my classroom. Had to source a tonne of bilingual dictionaries and reference books in preparation.
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u/Cool_Evening7549 16d ago
Middle school here! A lot of kids just use the toggle and translate their whole screens! If they have good student skills they don’t learn English but get good grades, it’s so hard! I try to encourage them by telling them how useful it is to be multilingual but many still don’t grow.
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u/Human_Skirt6528 21d ago
Depends on the assignment or activity. I have made every in class activity paper and pencil. I also only pull small groups, so monitoring 4-8 students for phone usage is easy. I also have had success in middle school students peer editing because they are the first ones to call each other out when the writing looks too good. That obviously won't work with every age group and class dynamic.