Computer Aided Translation Technology Application in ESP Teaching

Abstract

With the development of computer and the Internet, traditional teaching methods have been greatly challenged, so does ESP teaching. In order to cope with the new trend and the changes happened in classroom teaching and learning, teachers should turn their eyes on more effective methods especially the ones integrated with computer and the Internet technology. English for Specific purposes (ESP) has a long tradition, as a movement designed to respond to non-English majors’ needs both for academic and cross cultural communication purpose in specific scientific fields and professional settings. The purpose of ESP teaching may lay both in explaining basic language knowledge used in a particular subject and promoting the abilities to use English as a tool or a way to learn the special subject. How to teach ESP and are there any new methods can be applied into classroom teaching are remain the hot topic which have been discussed recently. Nowadays, in this information age, many scholars devote themselves to the exploration of computer aided teaching in particular subjects, and computer aided translation is of great importance in ESP teaching. It is a subject involves the basic concepts of computer-aided translation technology, helps students learn to use a variety of computer-aided translation tools, enhances their ability to engage in various kinds of language service in such a technical environment. This study explores the method of applying basic principles of computer aided translation in ESP teaching, including using searching engine or an appropriate electronic dictionary to translate a term, using proper software to construct a terminology database, using corpus to refine an academic writing and etc.. It can not only combine modern technology with traditional teaching but can also enhance the ESP learners’ ability in reading and translating, and to make them increasingly autonomous .