Translation in learning English

In Ancient Times, priests used to translate the bible and other official documents from Greek and other Antique Languages to their first languages: French, Italian, German and others. This hard activity took them years. This was a form to learn a second language too and it was known as the TRANSLATION METHOD.

Using translation for learning English shouldn´t be seen as a problem. Every student needs to translate, no matter the level of the student  -advanced, intermediate or beginners- translation is used as a useful strategy to learn expressions, slangs, phrases or simple vocabulary words.

BUT...when does it become a real problem? The answer is very simple: When students use Spanish to write sentences, paragraphs, compositions or essays and then they try to "translate" them into English.
If you pay close attention to this, you will discover that this is the same activity done twice -very similar to the translations done by priests in ancient times-. It's stressful, time consuming and really annoying. What do you think? What is your best choice: translate or write in English first?

WELCOME TO THIS BLOG...

Why have I chosen this name for your blog?...well the idea is that you feel free to write any thoughts that come to you  based on the topics that will be given through this school year.
The objective is to improve your writing skills in the classroom and then your drafts can be posted in this blog.
But the most important objective to me is that you don´t feel forced to write. Some of you chat to your friends online all day or at least part of the day... and they become a kind of "diary" where you can share your feelings, your wishes, your frustrations and other feelings, these are the same feelings I´d like to share with you through this blog because I´d love to be part of this too : )...


Well I don´t want to disturb you more...I hope you really enjoy it!!!


bye,
paola montero