Promoting Translation Competence in University Students: A Hybrid Proposal

Abstract

The aim of this article is to find out if translation competence could be promoted by introducing a hybrid approach including Blended Learning, Flipped classroom, Project-based learning and Gamification. To do that, the Sakai platform is going to be introduced in a didactic experience with students of the subjects Translation for Tourism and Leisure I (English), Translation for Tourism and Leisure II (English) and Specialized Translation (English), belonging to the third and fourth year of the university degree Translation and Interpreting in 2018/2019 at the University of Murcia. To evaluate the aforementioned experience, an initial evaluation was implemented to know the starting point of the students of the subjects. In the didactic intervention, students implemented activities out of the classroom using the Discussion Forum (to develop activities and organize a continuous debate), Tasks (to upload the translations), etc., together with activities in class, such as oral presentations, mini-debates, evaluations using Kahoots and translation practices. At the end of the process the translation competences were evaluated and students completed a final questionnaire. This is a pilot project to assess the viability of used tools, as well as its design, prior to its implementation on a larger scale in other subjects.