The Effectiveness of Machine Translating Tools to Enhance Higher Education Students' Knowledge in Non-English-Speaking Countries

Abstract

The low level of competence in English is one of the obstacles for the university students in Indonesia in increasing their knowledge. This problem is rooted in the fact that English in Indonesia is not a second language, but a foreign language. Students do not use English outside of class. To overcome this problem, students often use translating tools. Unfortunately, students do not understand how to use translation tools to produce quality translations. This research aims to discuss effective ways which are best practices for using translation tools that help students in Indonesia understand texts written in a foreign language. The data sources for this research were the results of in-depth interviews with graduate students, their translated documents, and the results of the researcher's best practice reflections as a translation-course lecturer in Indonesia. The results of this research provide a significant contribution to students in countries where English is a foreign language in that they know the best way to use translation tools in translation.