Abstract: This paper intends to emphasize the role of translation in the foreign language course. From a strictly didactic point of view, the paper does deal with the grammar-translation method, which is no longer widely applied in the teaching of foreign languages ever since the introduction of the communicative approach, as a result of the orientation of the foreign language course towards the objectives of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. However, even within the communicative approach, translation can still be part of the foreign language course, since this skill is important for the genuine understanding among people. Starting from the experience translation workshop organized as part of a German LSP course, the author of this paper intends to show the way in which students – even at beginners’ level – can use translation skills in real communication situations.

Key words: Translation workshop, communicative approach, translation, LSP, Common European Framework of Reference for Languages