Free Translation ~ A Tool for ELLs

Free!

Free Translation is a tool that lets users translate one language to another language. To begin, users must first choose the language they wish to enter using the dropdown box on the top left of the screen. (If the language they wish to enter is different from the language they wish to translate, users can click the “Keyboard” icon in the bottom left of the screen and choose the keyboard for the language they will translate.

The keyboard will then load at the bottom of the screen, and users can click letters on that keyboard, which will appear as the text to be translated in the box on the left.) Users can then type their text. They must then select the language they wish the text to be translated to using the dropdown box on the right side of the screen. Once the text is entered on the left side box and the language that the text will be translated to is selected on the right side box, users need to tap the green “Translate” button, and the text will be translated. Users can then click the “Arrows” button to toggle the box on the right and left sides of the screen.

Once a text is translated, users can click the “Headphones” icon to hear the text pronounced in the translated language, the “Printer” icon to print the text, the “Document” button to save the text to the computer’s clipboard memory, and the “Share” button to send the text out over social media or email.

Lastly, users can translate an entire document by clicking the “Translate a File” button in the box on the left, choosing the file from their computer, and then clicking the “Open” button. The website will translate the document, and users can click the “Download for Free” button on the bottom of the screen to access it.

Instructional Ideas for Free Translation

1. English language learners (ELLs) can use this website to help them understand written text and communicate. To do so, ELLs can type a document written in English into the box on the left and then translate it into their native language. Or, teachers can email them a document, and ELLs can upload the document to this website and translate it to their native language. ELLs can then complete the assignment in either English or their native language. If ELLs complete it in their native language, they can type their language in the box on the left using the keyboard option and then translate it into English.
2. As English-speaking students learn a new language, they can experiment and “play” with the language by typing English phrases in the box on the left and translating them into the language they are learning, which will appear on the box on the right.
3. As English-speaking students learn a new language, they can choose the keyboard for the language and practice typing words, phrases, and sentences in that language and then translate them back into English, as a way of checking their work.
4. When learning a new language, students can type a word, phrase, or sentence in their native language to the box on the left. They can then translate it to the language they are learning on the box on the right. Finally, students can click the “Headphones” icon in the box on the right to hear the language spoken.
5. After ELLs translate text from their native to English, they can use Paper Checker or Slick Write to analyze their writing and make any further corrections before submitting it for grading.

Screenshots for Free Translation

Free Translation screenshot