Translation.P-Translator.info

It seems that the Spanish translation industry is rapidly expanding, with more and more people needing professional translation services. However, some people are still reluctant to hire a Spanish translator and would rather turn to free Spanish translation engines and websites rather than pay a professional Spanish translator.

There are a ton of reasons for this, but I’d like to mention one of those here in this article, which is that people are unwilling to pay translators for their services believing that translation is not difficult and simply consists of copying the original document down in another language.

Many of these people look at all of the free Spanish translation tools that are available online and think to themselves, “Why do I need to pay a professional when I can have it done automatically for free?” Little do they realize the true cost of free Spanish translation services.

A business is always under the scrutinizing eye of the public. Everything you write, from emails that you send to customers, to quarterly financial reports, all demonstrates the pride you have in your company. If you conduct your correspondence in English, but pay no attention to grammar or the words you use, you won’t be in business much longer. The same is true for your foreign language correspondence.

Why would you for a second believe that a potential client reading your marketing material in another language would not be turned off by a sub-par, or even a ridiculous translation? However, that is exactly what you are getting by using a free Spanish translation service you would find online, such as Google’s or Altavista’s.

You will not only be costing your business future revenue, but also, if word of you trying to pass off your materials in another language by using a free Spanish translation tool gets out to your English-speaking clients, they might believe you are not serious about your business and sever their relationship with you. I don’t know about you, but that’s a pretty high price I wouldn’t be willing to pay.

So what are these free online Spanish translators good for? Well, the only thing I think they are good at is giving you a main idea of what the text is about. Let me give you a brief example.

I ran the first paragraph of an article I found in a Mexican newspaper through the free Spanish translation tool at Google’s website. Here’s the resulting English exactly as it was rendered:

The man assassinated in the bar Capon’s, turned out to be an ex- municipal police, informed the police authorities. The victim was identified with the name of Luis Antiga Hernandez, of 35 years of age.

…and here is what the English should be:

Police authorities have reported that the man assassinated in Capon’s Bar was a former municipal policeman. The victim was identified as 35-year-old Luis Antiga Hern

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Do your English or foreign language learners like to play games? If they’re at all like my students, of course they do. Are you looking for a short, fast-paced, dynamic activity your language learners will love? While you’re at it, do you want them to practice their language skills too? Here are two adaptable games that work just great in my EFL classroom. I think they can work well for you too.

“Tricky”

Also known as Tic-Tac-Toe in some countries, you can adapt this game in a number of ways to elicit spontaneous practice on the part of your English or foreign language learners. Divide a table, desk, the board, a sheet of paper or even a portion of the floor into a nine-square, three by three grid pattern using a marker or masking tape. Ask a question or give a short task to a student or group of students. A correct answer allows them to place a marker (or one of themselves) into a square. An incorrect answer rolls the turn to the next student or group. The students or groups take successive turns giving answers (or completing short tasks) or responses, trying to get three in a row horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Things can heat up quickly with this game activity.

BINGO

B-I-N-G-O, a dynamic alternative or variation of “Tricky”, this seemingly age-old favorite uses five (or any number) in a row horizontally, vertically or diagonally to determine a “winner”. Use grammar in context, vocabulary, synonyms, definitions, antonyms, questions - answers, short dialogues or whatever else you want your language learners to practice in context. The first student or small group to score five in a row is declared the “winner”. To continue to involve even more students or time, continue playing with a second or third place winner. You can also play until everyone has “won”.

Learners practice their English or foreign language skills, turn-taking and cooperative learning strategies while having a blast. As a board game, use nine different-colored squares on a table or desktop with plastic figures or the learners’ personal items (keys, key rings, pens, coins, buttons, small objects, etc.) as markers. For a more Total Physical Response (TPR) approach, mark off the floor with masking tape and the students themselves become the “markers”. Use markers on the white board to write in the learners’ or team names for larger groups. But try one or both of these simple, quick activities to jazz up a slow-starting class or as a “wake up” dynamic for longer class sessions. Then judge for yourself how your learners respond.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an ELT Teacher Trainer, English language learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. He has published more than 350 articles and academic papers and presented at numerous EFL teacher training and TEFL conferences throughout North America, South America and Europe. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

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Introduction

In a study of the learning style of adult ESL students, Willing (1985) found four different learner types:

Concrete learners - who prefer the use of games, audio-visuals and pair work

Analytical learners - who prefer structured study methods and texts, verbal-linguistic activities and self-correction

Communicative learners - who prefer the use of role plays, simulations and realia

Authority-oriented learners - who need detailed explanations, take copious notes and frequently use manipulatives

In addition to the citing of these four types (J.C. Richards, 2004) there are these five “typical” classroom types that I think teachers should be familiar with. Here they are with some suggestions on strategies to teach them.

1. The Learning Disabled Student

Poorly prepared since primary school with highly underdeveloped basic skills, this type of learner may even be deficient in their L1, or first language.

Teaching Strategy: A healthy dose of patience and adapting materials to their preferred learning characteristics are an absolute must.

2. The LEP Student

The Limited English Proficiency (LEP) learner has likely “progressed” through earlier or lower levels solely by means of “piggy-backing” off the abilities of a more proficient classmate or partner. You, as the teacher, are now faced with a beginning level student in an intermediate or higher level class.

Teaching Strategy: Remedial work outside of class contact hours is going to be required here. Reinforce work from lower levels through tutoring sessions, workshops or even “extra” classes outside the required norms to help this learner to “catch up” to where they should be.

3. The Teacher’s Pet

Their homework is always done, practice activities are nearly perfect, their notes immaculate and useful, their hands go up instantly in response to a question or activity. The Teacher’s Pet is a teacher’s dream. Yes, they’re out there and the experience of teaching them is a truly memorable one.

Teaching Strategy: This is where having those prepared extra assignments and activities really pays off. The Teacher’s Pet will finish the normally-provided exercises and activities fairly quickly and frequently well ahead of the other students. So enjoy and whip those “extras” on them -they’ll love you for it.

4. The “Unteachable” Student

The bane of nearly all educators, they don’t even want to be present in class, let alone actually learn anything. They’re often a constant distraction; inattentive, boisterous, disturbing all around them. No books, participation or homework proceeds from anywhere in their direction. Seemingly responding to neither carrot nor stick, the “unteachable” student can make strong teachers weak and weak teachers “throw in the towel” and become accountants.

Teaching Strategy: What’s needed here are some insights into the intrinsic and extrinsic motivations of these students. Only then do you have a shot at motivating or interesting them in their didactic surroundings. Find out - quickly - if there’s a way to reach them an act on it pronto or the both of you will lose out.

5. The Extremist

Whether they’re Musical - Rhythmic, Visual - Spatial or another overly dominant Multiple Intelligence to the extreme, these learners could tax the patience of Job himself. They might whistle, hum, chat, talk on their cell phone, scribble or doodle incessantly. Take note of it and learn to use it to draw them into the class and teach them

Teaching Strategy: Don’t fight against them. Turn the tables on the situation and use their overwhelmingly dominant traits to teach them. Even if they’re the only one with that particular learning characteristic in your class group - use it to your - and their advantage.

Get to know these learner types and familiarize yourself with techniques and didactics to manage them effectively in class before they get to you. It will make your teaching experiences all the richer, more memorable and aid you in developing as a first-rate educator. Please feel free to contact me at lynchlarrym@gmail.com with any questions, comments or for more information.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an expert author and photographer offering Web Content Writing Services for top-quality articles on: Education, Language learning, Salt and Fresh water fishing, exotic foods, South American travel and culture, Ethnic issues - Blacks, Latinos, Indian native tribes, Health, Internet business resources and more His work has appeared in Transitions Abroad, South American Explorer, Escape From America, Mexico News, Brazil magazine and hundreds of sites online. For fr*e*e sample articles and available web content e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

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