Project-based learning: A practical approach to implementing Memsource in the classroom

Abstract

[EN] Information technology has long become an integral part of today’s professional reality and given rise to new job profiles, in response to the changing requirements in many industries. Hence, the knowledge of languages for specific purposes as well as the acquisition of practical competences through project-based learning (PBL) have gained growing significance. Specialized communication skills, coupled with a multilingual professional competence, are a means to address the demands of our today's complex reality. Institutions of higher education more and more feel the urge to prepare their students to new professional challenges and a wide range of employment opportunities. This paper presents a PBL approach by implementing the Computer Aided Translation Tool Memsource in foreign language classes of the Master’s course “Languages and Business Relations” at the University of Aveiro. This innovative approach seeks to provide students with a multidisciplinary competence, increase their linguistic proficiency and actively involve them in the decision-making and problem-solving process. Keywords: higher education, Project-based learning (PBL), Computer Aided Translation Tool, Language teaching for specific purposes