3/14/2018
By Annette Sojic
Senior Professor of Practice, Department of French & Italian
Translation Theory and Practice, an advanced French course which I have taught regularly since 2010, is among my favorite service-learning classes. Over the years, with the help of the Center for Public Service staff, I've had the opportunity to build and develop long-lasting and rewarding partnerships with local entities. These partnerships have led to a number of creative service-learning projects with tangible outcomes, fostering a sense of purpose and usefulness in the students.
One of the latest and most engaging projects that started in 2014 is a strong collaboration with our current community partner, the International School of Louisiana (ISL). This project, which consisted in translating a 400-page US history textbook into French, has now been completed. As a service-learning experience for the students, the textbook translation has combined challenging academic tasks with service to the community. It enhanced students’ translating skills and provided them with multiple occasions to consult with ISL’s French teachers for advice on pedagogical expertise. It has also met one of ISL’s basic needs for French materials.
The issue of the lack of pedagogical materials in French is part of a general shortage situation, which extends far beyond ISL. In fact, the lack of educational materials in the target language affects French immersion schools throughout the nation. These schools follow the American standards-based curriculum yet teach it in French, while mostly relying on English texts.
As chief translator of the French version of my World Social Studies: Building Our Country, I am delighted to see that our project has materialized into the publication of this version by Pearson and is now available to French immersion schools across the United States.
Pearson has expressed interest in other textbook translations into French. Together with my students, I look forward to future projects, which will continue to benefit French immersion while reflecting Tulane’s commitment to civic engagement.