Published 2025-05-10
Keywords
- Project-based learning,
- translation education,
- corpus,
- project management,
- competence development
How to Cite
Copyright (c) 2025 Yang Chen, Li Shen

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Abstract
This study investigates a corpus-construction project implemented at a foreign language university over two years, aiming to explore its impacts on student translators and the challenges encountered by teachers in project management. Results show that students have developed multidimensional competence, including enhanced translation skills and technological competence, development of cognitive skills and critical thinking disposition, improvement of collaboration skills and teamwork, as well as historical responsibility and ethical awareness. However, teachers encountered challenges such as corpus difficulty and ambiguity, technological barriers in corpus construction, and difficulties in team management. This research not only enriches the theory of translation education, but also provides practical implications for curriculum design and teaching practices, as well as the implementation of large-scale authentic projects across different domains.
Downloads
References
- Alhassan, A., Muhammad Naguib Sabtan, Y., & Omar, L. (2021). Using Parallel Corpora in the Translation Classroom: Moving towards a Corpus-driven Pedagogy for Omani Translation Major Students. Arab World English Journal, 12(1), 40–58. https://doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol12no1.4
- Alwafi, E. M. (2023). The impact of designing an online learning environment based on cognitive apprenticeship on students’ critical thinking and interaction in CSCL. Educational Technology Research and Development, 71(2), 2. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-022-10180-2
- Baker, M. (2006). Translation and Activism: Emerging Patterns of Narrative Community. The Massachusetts Review, 47(3), 462–484.
- Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
- Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2023). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design (5th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc. https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/qualitative-inquiry-and-research-design/book266033
- Dias-Oliveira, E., Pasion, R., Vieira da Cunha, R., & Lima Coelho, S. (2024). The development of critical thinking, team working, and communication skills in a business school–A project-based learning approach. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 54, 101680. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2024.101680
- Garcia Gonzalez, M., & Veiga Diaz, M. T. (2015). Guided Inquiry and Project-Based Learning in the field of specialised translation: A description of two learning experiences. Perspectives-Studies in Translation Theory and Practice, 23(1), 107–123. https://doi.org/10.1080/0907676X.2014.948018
- Greenier, V. T. (2020). The 10Cs of project-based learning TESOL curriculum. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 14(1), 27–36. https://doi.org/10.1080/17501229.2018.1473405
- Guo, P., Saab, N., Post, L. S., & Admiraal, W. (2020). A review of project-based learning in higher education: Student outcomes and measures. International Journal of Educational Research, 102, 101586. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2020.101586
- Krajcik, J. S., & Shin, N. (2014). Project-Based Learning. In R. K. Sawyer (Ed.), The Cambridge Handbook of the Learning Sciences (2nd ed., pp. 275–297). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139519526.018
- Lavado-Anguera, S., Velasco-Quintana, P.-J., & Terrón-López, M.-J. (2024). Project-Based Learning (PBL) as an Experiential Pedagogical Methodology in Engineering Education: A Review of the Literature. Education Sciences, 14(6), 6. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14060617
- Li, D., Zhang, C., & He, Y. (2015). Project-based learning in teaching translation: Students’ perceptions. The Interpreter and Translator Trainer, 9(1), 1-19. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1750399X.2015.1010357
- Li, M., & Pan, D. (2023). Corpus-Based Translation Pedagogy: A Preliminary Case Study. In H. Xie, C.-L. Lai, W. Chen, G. Xu, & E. Popescu (Eds.), Advances in Web-Based Learning – ICWL 2023 (pp. 28–38). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-8385-8_3
- Loock, R., & Léchauguette, S. (2021). Machine translation literacy and undergraduate students in applied languages: Report on an exploratory study. Revista Tradumatica, (19), 19. https://doi.org/10.5565/rev/tradumatica.281
- Mayer, R. E. (2005). Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning. In R. Mayer (Ed.), The Cambridge Handbook of Multimedia Learning (pp. 31–48). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511816819.004
- Moghaddas, M., & Khoshsaligheh, M. (2019). Implementing project-based learning in a Persian translation class: A mixed-methods study. The Interpreter and Translator Trainer, 13(2), 190–209. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750399X.2018.1564542
- Mohammed, T. A. S. (2022). The Use of Corpora in Translation into the Second Language: A Project-Based Approach. Frontiers in Education, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.849056
- Muftah, M. (2024). Incorporating social responsibility into translator training through situated learning in translation projects: Making room for a sustainable learning environment. Interactive Learning Environments, 32(9), 4950–4967. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2023.2207188
- Putra, H. R., Retnaningsih, W., & Nugroho, A. (2022). Enhancing Students’ Translation Skills using Project Based Learning: A Case of An Islamic University. Ta'dib: Journal of Islamic Education, 26(2), 93–106. https://doi.org/10.19109/td.v26i2.10006
- Ribeiro, S., Tavares, C., Lopes, C., & Chorão, G. (2023). Competence Development Strategies after COVID-19: Using PBL in Translation Courses. Education Sciences, 13(3), 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13030283
- Seo, S., Van Orman, D. S. J., Beattie, M., Paxson, L. C., & Murray, J. (2024). Transforming Learning Orientations Through STEM Interdisciplinary Project-Based Learning. Education Sciences, 14(11), 11. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14111154
- Shadiev, R., Chen, X., & Altinay, F. (2024). A review of research on computer-aided translation technologies and their applications to assist learning and instruction. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 40(6), 3290–3323. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.13072
- Tzou, Y.-Z. (2024). Situated learning in the translation class: Exploring the effects of engaging college students in an online crowdsourcing translation project. Interpreter and Translator Trainer, 18(4), 563–580. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750399X.2024.2423476
- Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.
- Xiao, R., & Hu, X. (2015). Corpus-Based Studies of Translational Chinese in English-Chinese Translation. Springer.
- Zhao, W., & Mu, Y. (2020). An Empirical Study of Corpus-Based Translation Teaching in Higher Vocational Colleges in China. In E. Popescu, T. Hao, T.-C. Hsu, H. Xie, M. Temperini, & W. Chen (Eds.), Emerging Technologies for Education (pp. 280–284). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-38778-5_30