I created a page with four photos from the day at the beach. Hope you can have a look.
Truthfully, I like it when a student brings me a piece of writing that is obviously a translation from BabelFish or some other online translator. It is one of those "teachable moments" when we can have a conversation about how these tools really don't do the job when it comes to composing. I like to catch them "in the act" so to speak, so I can point out the problems. I do encourage them to use online dictionaries to translate words, but to construct their own sentences. One thing I am going to do this year is to have more in-class writing assignments, where they do not have access to computers. Technology is a fantastic tool, but students must be taught how to use it to their advantage and not their discredit. Merrie


Here's where you can add a page of photos and also begin a discussion about online translators and whether they help or hinder teachers and students of languages. Lisa B.

I brought my camera but I didn`t take any pictures. I played baseball, croquet and volleyball, I can not say I loved it but I had fun.
About the translator babelfish it is terrible because it can be really good for debutant level and not so good for higher level and I don`t want my student to find out this site. Linda
But they will find the site, Linda, so how can you show them the site, then show them why it doesn't really work. Make a lesson out of it and it's foibles. Lisa B.



It felt so refreshing to be outside yesterday in the great outdoors. Thanks for some great games of volleyball and my first real experience with croquet. I will definitely post my photos later tonight. About online translators, I really stress to my students to not use it. I encourage them to use dictionaries, whether on-line or in print. The problem with on-line translations is, not only is it a literal translation, but the student has not worked with their own knowledge of the language. I have to admit the Babelfish translation into French from Lisa is pretty good, which scares me, but it was a very simple text. When text is more developed there are generally mistakes around agreement and idiomatic expressions. Christine


Getting outside of the college and into the sun was a great break - and I'm sure it was very needed by those who presented on Sunday (well-done Amanda, Chris, and Guille!). I enjoyed giving my mind a rest and was so excited to hear all about Christine's trips to Iceland (talk to her about them - I want to go now!)

On-line translators: Lisa's Spanish message is okay, there are definitely a few things that are not quite right, though. Personally, I do not mind students using them to look up a word here and there (after all, I do this, too), and it is usually quite obvious when they use it for whole passages. know that my students know about them and cannot be naive enough to think they don't use them. So, I also do a whole lesson on dictionaries and translators showing my students the pitfalls and perils of relying on these (one word with multiple meanings, wrong translations, etc.) Laura

My students are not allowed to use online translators when they do their homework and most certainly not when they do any writing projects for me. But, I do encourage them to play around with them, and I ask them to bring their translations to class for analysis. We are usually able to see how the translation is so litteral and not really "French". Some really interesting lessons come out of these online translations and, in general, the kids get the point that they should stay away from them because I can spot the use of an online translator a mile away!! Amanda
Excellent idea, Amanda, to have them play with the online translators. Can you work that up into a lesson or game? Lisa B.

It was hard for me to accept to take a break on Monday, as I tend to get worried about what needs to be done. But, I am so glad that I got to accept the suggestion, and went to the lake. It reminded me of how nice and relaxing the outside world can be. I even laid down by the lake and took a nap in the sun. It was soo good!!!
But to get back on track, I have to say that I don't allow my lower level French classes to use the online translators, as I think that they could have bad effects on the language learning at early stages (A lot of students become dependant on them, especially for writing assignments).
At the beginning of the year I bring in to the classroom a text in English that was translated from French using online translator, and ask my students to read it and summarize it. They quickly realize that they can't do it as it doesn't make any sense although the words are spelled correctly, and they have meanings if read separately. I like my students to develop somewhat strong skills in the language(vocab and grammar) using a variety of activities (listening, reading, speaking, and writing), and with the help of French-French dictionaries before allowing them to Use the online translators. By the higher level classes, students usually can use the online translators to help them improve their vocabulary because by then they can make the necessary critical choices based on their prior knowledge of the language (grammar and structure). Nadia

The use of translators could present a problem since the students are always trying to find the easy way to complete their HW. Lisa's translator was very good, but I still don't want my students to use it, because it would not help them to learn the language.(Marilyn)
The use of online translators is a major problem because the students are not making the effort to begin thinking in the language and rely on translation to communicate their ideas in the target language. The translations from English into Spanish usually include some use of the subjunctive mood or another verb tense that the students have not mastered at that particular level, which results in their use of a translation device being very obvious. It is yet another challenge that we must deal with in the classroom, and also I have found that administrators aren't always very firm in demanding academic honesty and integrity in situations like this. -Melissa


I think I agree with Melissa on this one. I don't think they need to use the translators because they are not really thinking about language and looking for an easy way to complete homework. Also, sometimes the translators don't do a very good job of translating because it does it so literally. Furthermore, I think that the translators don't really hold them accountable for what they are learning. If they need to look up a word here or there, I think they should just use the dictionary. As far as Lisa's translation, I think that it was pretty good.--Shakita


Yes, Monday's excursion was a really good diversion (no rhyme intended), and a good lesson that it's okay to take a break once in a while - even advantageous. I had a lovely time lying in the sand and chatting with the 'frenchies', and especially buying chocolate to sustain me over the next several challenging days.

As far as Babelfish, the translation wasn't bad, a few minor mistakes but certainly understandable. With my students we actually do an exercise about electronic translators where I give them a short paragraph in English, they type it into an e-translator for French, then they re-type the French paragraph into the same e-translator and we read what we have. The result is usually hilarious, and brings home the point that though they can be helpful for a word or even sometimes a phrase, they certainly aren't effective or accurate for more than that. --Lisa M.