Dear Parents and Carers,
We are writing to you today from the Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Department at Strood Academy to reinforce an important aspect of our academic integrity policy, particularly concerning the use of online translation tools.
As part of our commitment to fostering genuine language acquisition and ensuring fair assessment, we wish to remind all students, and by extension, their parents and carers, that the use of online translators (such as Google Translate, SpanishDict, etc.) is strictly prohibited during all MFL assessments and for the completion of extended writing tasks.
While these tools can be helpful for quick reference in certain contexts, their use in academic tasks undermines the learning process. Our aim is to equip students with the ability to think, translate, and express themselves independently in the target language. Relying on online translators prevents students from developing crucial linguistic skills, including vocabulary recall, grammatical understanding, and the ability to formulate their own sentences. It also makes it impossible for teachers to accurately assess a student’s true understanding and progress.
This directive is in full alignment with Strood Academy’s overarching Academic Integrity Policy, which emphasizes honesty, fairness, and respect in all academic endeavors. You can find the full policy document for your reference here: https://stroodacademy.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Academic-Integrity-Policy-2024-25.pdf
We kindly ask for your support in reinforcing this message at home. Encouraging your child to attempt tasks independently, even if it means making mistakes, is a vital part of the language learning journey. We understand that language learning can be challenging, and our department is always here to provide support and guidance to students who are struggling. Please encourage your child to speak to their MFL teacher if they require additional help.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in upholding the standards of academic integrity at Strood Academy.
Yours sincerely,
The MFL Department | Strood Academy
