Abstract:

On-line social networks have become a new virtual environment that provides opportunities to network with colleagues, to get advice from experts, etc.
Didactics has always used social environments for teaching purposes. So, it is not surprising, that foreign language and translation skills training methodology pays a special attention to on-line social networks.
Researchers study the didactic potential of Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube and unanimously point out that these tools contribute to both collaborative and autonomous learning, communicating with native speakers, learning language in the authentic environment, developing the four speech skills as a whole.

Moreover, recently a number of foreign language learning social networks (such as LiveMocha.com, Bussuu.com, Italki.com, Palabea.net, Lang-8.com, etc.) have emerged, and they make learning more interactive and interesting.
As far as translation skills training through social networks is concerned it is possible to find professional translators’ associations in Facebook and LinkedIn, one can mention ProZ.com translators’ social network that uses different languages and provides opportunities for discussions, training courses, advice on terminology issues, information about scientific forums on translation topic, etc.

Our university-based specialized translation skills training experience proves the social network integration into the translators’ training can be really effective, only in case it is done with concrete educational purposes and systematically.
Social networks reflect language use in domain specific areas, accumulate information in different languages (what lays grounds for comparative language analysis) and unite professionals. These features reveal the social networks educational potential for specialized translation skills training.
The report introduces an experimental course of legal translation that includes tasks for students’ consecutive, systemic and varied activities in social networks. The report will highlight the system of social network-based specialized translation skills training assignments, the specific methodology to design such assignments, criteria to select the didactic material, etc.