The pedagogical value of translation : experiences from a newly introduced elective course

Abstract

With the expansion of nonprofessional translation activities, language education has gradually rediscovered translation and mediation, seeing them not only as useful tools in language learning but also as transferable skills, useful in their own right. However, the pedagogical value of translation, as a practical activity, a theoretical topic, and a subject for critical discussion, has been less explored from the broader perspective of intercultural education, particularly in multicultural classroom settings where English is the shared language. This article reports the findings of a study conducted at a Finnish university on a recently introduced elective course designed and developed by the author. The course, open for both domestic and international students, focuses on translation and culture and has active and collaborative learning at its core. It promotes creativity, critical thinking, and self-reflection through discussions and practical tasks, while also considering the affective layers of meaning as well as broader social, ideological, and ethical dimensions of translation. The research presented here examines the pedagogical value of translation in the first two course implementations. Student data from surveys and reflections explored the participants’ motivations for taking the course, their previous translation experiences, their initial views on translation as an activity and as a future study or career option, along with their individual learning experiences in the course. Student data were complemented by field notes recording my observations, thoughts, and development ideas. The research underscores the benefits of incorporating translation more strongly into multilingual pedagogies that promote intercultural learning. The implications are discussed from the perspectives of professional development and institutional-level curriculum design.