This session will detail the results of a pilot study investigating English as a foreign Language (EFL) student machine translation (MT) usage at an international University in Japan. This pilot study is part of a larger two-year grant-in-aid (a competitive research grant given by the Japanese government) mixed method investigation to better understand the effects MT integration curriculum has on students’ writing and MT usage throughout their college career. First, the presenter will give background information about the current research trends for dealing with machine translation. Although MT research has increased recently, it is still an emerging topic from the last 10 years and conclusive results leading to recommendations and best practices for MT classroom integration do not exist. Next, the presenter will explain her two-year research plan and the connection with the pilot study. The pilot study will be conducted to trial material and investigate the prevalence of MT usage. The presenter will report on the results of the study and make recommendations for how to best teach ethical machine translation use in a university setting. The results will deepen the theoretical and practical knowledge related to academic integrity considering the new advent of highly proficient MT applications and elucidate the possibility of a more constructive approach to the issue of MT use in foreign language education and in higher education in general.

Authors:
Lindsay Mack, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Lindsay Mack is currently an Associate Professor in the Center for Language Education at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University where teaches academic writing and reading to EFL students.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Friday Schedule

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