Undergraduate translation programmes in Saudi universities : pedagogical and curricular evaluation
The purpose of this empirical study is to evaluate the curricula and pedagogical approaches of undergraduate translator training programmes, to improve training and prepare students adequately for the dynamics of the evolving professional translation market, particularly in Saudi Arabia and for the Arabic-English language pair and to suggest remedies for the current weaknesses. This study employs a mixed methods approach. A survey is conducted among Saudi students and translation instructors. Professional translators, translation instructors and students about to graduate are also interviewed. The results show that the objectives of the courses are ill-designed, the materials used are irrelevant to the translation courses, there is a lack of training in the translation courses, and the duration of the courses is insufficient. The results also indicate that the majority of translation instructors do not have a degree in translation, but are mostly bilingual academics who use old teaching methods. The results reveal that most participating students perceive there to be a dearth of translation labs, machine translation, translation software, print media, and audio and visual materials in universities. In addition,
Abu-Ghararah, Basmah Ali H.
Undergraduate translation programmes in Saudi universities : pedagogical and curricular evaluation. The purpose of this empirical study is to evaluate the curricula and pedagogical approaches of undergraduate translator training programmes, to improve training and prepare students adequately for the dynamics of the evolving professional translation market, particularly in Saudi Arabia and for the Arabic-English language pair and to suggest remedies for the current weaknesses. This study employs a mixed methods approach. A survey is conducted among Saudi students and translation instructors. Professional translators, translation instructors and students about to graduate are also interviewed. The results show that the objectives of the courses are ill-designed, the materials used are irrelevant to the translation courses, there is a lack of training in the translation courses, and the duration of the courses is insufficient. The results also indicate that the majority of translation instructors do not have a degree in translation, but are mostly bilingual academics who use old teaching methods. The results reveal that most participating students perceive there to be a dearth of translation labs, machine translation, translation software, print media, and audio and visual materials in universities. In addition,
undergraduate translation programme saudi university pedagogical curricular evaluation purpose empirical_study evaluate pedagogical approach undergraduate translator_training programme improve training prepare student adequately dynamic evolve professional translation market particularly saudi_arabia arabic_english language_pair suggest remedy current weakness study employ mixed_method approach survey_conduct among saudi student translation instructor professional_translator translation instructor student graduate also interview show objectives course ill designed material use irrelevant translation_course lack train translation_course duration course insufficient also_indicate majority translation instructor degree translation mostly bilingual academic use old teaching method reveal participate student perceive dearth translation lab machine_translation translation software print medium audio visual_material university addition