Cooperative Learning as a Valuable Approach to Teaching Translation
Marina V. Melnichuk – Valentina M. Osipova
DOI: 10.18355/XL.2017.10.01.03
Abstract
In the process of rapid exchange of information and cross-cultural communication, translation is playing an increasingly important role. It is regarded as a constructive skill-enhancing tool. The paper reports the results of the research work aimed to evaluate the use of the cooperative learning (CL) technique for teaching translation in authentic classroom situation at a non-linguistic institution of higher education. We have been able to explore the value of the translation methodology “Cooperative Work Procedure” proposed by Prof. Gerding-Salas C. (Gerding-Salas, 2000). Research on collaboration compared group performance to individual performance as well as identified interactions within heterogeneous groups. The current study proves that both students and educators may benefit from CL. The paper focuses on the advantages of this method. The research used both quantitative and qualitative methods. The findings show that CL technique is highly suitable for the use in the translation class. Learning process evolves dynamically; the discussion stimulates criticism involving a fuller range of translation solutions and improvements and may lead into related topics for debate and discovery.
Key words: cooperative learning, cooperative work procedure, training translation, heterogeneous grouping