MY EXPERIENCE WITH GIFTED STUDENTS IN ENGLISH AT SECONDARY SCHOOL, USING THE EXAMPLE OF TRANSLATING TEXTSPaper
In the Slovenian gimnazija programme, the translation of longer texts is practically not part of the regular curriculum, as we pursue goals that are subordinate to the final matura exam at the end of secondary school. Students who are recognised as gifted in a foreign language are not often given the opportunity to translate. When the opportunity arises for students to develop their potential in the field of translation in the context of extracurricular activities, these take place in their free time and, of course, after school.
In my article I present my work with talented students in three translation projects - Scottish Fairy Tales, Favourite Irish legends and Stories from the Billabong - which I have been working on with students of our grammar school over the past eight years, translating from the original texts into Slovene, illustrating and publishing in three books over the years. I present in more detail the practical approach of the most recent stories, Stories from the Billabong, where we teachers, who were involved in the project for the third time, have already refined our work with the students based on past experiences over the years. I also present the translation problems we encountered and how we tackled them.
Students who had already been identified as talented students in the desired areas in both primary and secondary school were invited to participate and naturally wanted to take part, followed by further selection of students by the teachers. Most of the translations and illustrations were completed by the students during a two-day translation and illustration camp, followed by an individual approach with each student and the preparation of the book edition.
mag. Polonca Zalokar
Šolski center Celje, Gimnazija Lava