Spanish Dictionary Skills: Dictionary vs Translator

This activity will help beginning or advanced students understand the limitations of language translators and encourage them to build fluency by using these and other tools for the right reasons.

The temptation of an online translator is irresistible to many new language students who lack the patience or drive that it takes to learn another language. Not only will this lesson help your students to see why you WILL KNOW if they use a translator, but it will help you to set ground rules as to the use of these and other tools both inside and outside of the classroom.

Students will begin this activity by learning about several online tools that may help students studying a foreign language and the appropriate use of each. Then they will compare/contrast two of those tools - an online Spanish/English dictionary and Google Translate - by first looking up underlined words in 30 sentences in the dictionary and then comparing that to what the translator says. By the end of the lesson, students will clearly see situations in which the translator was not able to make correct decisions on word choice and the increased control that using a dictionary offers.

This Product Includes:
-Foreign Language Student Toolbox Handout
-Dictionary vs Translator Activity
-Questions for Discussion & Reflection