Dictation, Translation and Memorisation in Language classes: New tricks for old dogs

Upper Primary and Secondary Language teachers Ask most language teachers about dictation, translation, or memorisation and you’ll get the same reaction: a knowing smile, maybe a slight wince, and a story about their own school days. These are the techniques we grew up with, the ones we quietly dropped when communicative approaches took over, and the ones we’ve rarely thought about since. It turns out we may have been too hasty. A growing body of research in cognitive science and second language acquisition is making a compelling case for these overlooked classics; not as nostalgic curiosities, but as genuinely powerful tools that, when used thoughtfully, can transform what happens in a language classroom. This full-day workshop makes that case and then puts it into practice. Across three hands-on sessions, you’ll take a fresh look at each technique through the lens of current research, discover why it works in ways we never fully understood, and leave with a rich collection of creative, ready-to-use activities that will feel anything but old-fashioned in your classroom. Session 1 — Dictation: More Than Meets the Ear. Far beyond the “read it out, write it down” model most of us remember, modern dictation is a remarkably flexible tool for developing listening comprehension, consolidating grammar and vocabulary, and sharpening students’ attention to language. We’ll explore a wide range of innovative formats and you’ll develop materials you can take straight back to your classroom. Session 2 — Translation: The Comeback Kid. Translation spent decades in exile, written off as the enemy of communicative language teaching. The research disagrees. We’ll examine why translation is one of the most cognitively rich activities you can give a language learner, and explore practical, creative approaches that go far beyond bilingual word lists. Session 3 — Memorisation and Recitation: Learning by Heart. Rote learning has a bad reputation, and in its worst forms, it deserves it. But the science of retrieval practice and formulaic language tells a more nuanced story. This session will show you how to harness the real power of memorisation in ways that build fluency, deepen understanding, and, perhaps surprisingly, genuinely engage students. While examples throughout the day are drawn from French, every idea and activity is adaptable and transferable to most language classrooms. Teachers of all languages and all levels are warmly encouraged to attend. Come with an open mind. Leave with a host of new ideas, and maybe a new appreciation for some very old friends. Rowena Bata has been a Languages teacher for 25 years and she has worked at schools in Victoria as well as in France, Papua New Guinea and Malaysia. She has held various positions of leadership and has taught students of all ages, from Prep to adult. Rowena holds a Master’s degree in Linguistics and she is a Microsoft Innovative Educator Trainer. She is interested in bridging the gap between second languag