Biligual dictionaries. Why on line translators don't work

Aim: Understand that word for word translation does not work.

Learn how to use a dictionary by observing the information that a dictionary provides.

Level: Students need to be able to produce sentences in the past simple to carry out this task.

Warning! This task is has been designed for Spanish speakers. 

If you are not teaching Spanish students, don't bother to download the task!

Download the materials HERE

Sample task

Materials:

• Power Point Presentations 


• Teacher's Key 

Download the materials HERE

See other bilingual dictionary tasks for Spanish  speakers under the LABEL bilingual dictionaries

Bilingual Dictionaries. Choose the right word. Intermediate to advanced.

This task has been designed to suit the needs of Spanish speakers.  Due to the complexity of the examples  that I provide this task caters for intermediate or advanced students. For easier examples, check the label BILINGUAL DICTIONARY in this blog.  

Aim: by carrying out this task students should understand that grammar class and general meaning of a sentence are crucial before looking for a word up.

Sample task. From English to Spanish

Materials:

• English/Spanish dictionary. Ideally students  should do the following exercise in the computer room using the dictionary in www.wordreference.com Students may also use a traditional paper bilingual dictionary.   
• Power point with examples of sentences to translate 

You can download the related Power Point by clicking HERE

Procedure: The teacher gives the students three types of exercises. Examples and solutions  are provided in the Power point. These are the 3 types of tasks the Power Point includes:

•  Translate from Spanish to English. Students become aware of the many different meanings of Spanish words before translating into English.
• Translate from English to Spanish. Students become aware of the many different meanings of English words.
• The third ones are challenging and the worst part is that they are real! Students try to figure out what bad users of dictionaries really meant!!

Talking Turkeys by Benjamin Zephaniah

Pre-watching task included in attached Power Point

Possible special occasion: Christmas. This poem reflects on the selfishness  and consumerism  that rules the celebration of Christmas.
Level: lower intermediate and higher.
Aim: students carry out pre-watching tasks before listening to a  fun poem about the feelings of turkeys before Christmas. Students become aware of the variety of English accents.

Materials

All materials are available by clicking HERE 

• Video of Bejamin Zephaniah reciting the  poem Talking Turkeys. You can watch it online underneath or download it from my site by clicking HERE 
• Teachers' notes to lead you through the Power Point.
• Power Point with pre-watching tasks to project in class. 

You may want to visit Benjamin Zephaniah's website. Click HERE