EAL learners want and need to understand and explore the differences and similarities between English and their home language. As such, translation exercises work really well. Reverse translation is an already well-established and ancient technique. I really like it as students can see for themselves where they can improve and what they should focus on in the future. Here’s how I handle it.

I give the students a short 250-word text which contains target language and structures. The learners then translate it into their home languages and subsequently back into English. The most important element is that the students then compare their translations with the original and write a list of what they do well and words or structures they need to work on.

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 Thanks for Supporting EAL Learners