Beyond post-editing: A project-based module on MT and LLM integration for trainee translators

Abstract

With the rapid technologisation of translation, skills beyond post-editing (PE), such as data literacy, technology evaluation, and critical engagement with AI-based tools are becoming essential competencies for trainee translators. This paper presents a syllabus for a translation technology module that equips MA Translation students with end-to-end technology assessment skills, from engine selection and domain adaptation to automatic and human evaluation, post-editing, and reporting results. Large language models are integrated throughout, as translation engines, as a basis for prompting and domain adaptation strategies, and as a source of explainable quality estimation signals. Students apply these skills in a simulated client scenario as project-based learning. Trends on students’ engine selection and customisation preferences observed across three years suggest a gradual shift towards LLM-based tools, but traditional engines and built-in options remain a firm presence in their practices.

- Anthology ID:
- 2026.taitt-1.7
- Volume:
- [Proceedings of the 1st International Workshop on Teaching AI-Based Translation and Technologies (TAITT 2026)](https://aclanthology.org/volumes/2026.taitt-1/)
- Month:

• June
• Year:
• 2026
• Address:
• Tilburg, the Netherlands
• Editors:
• Ralph Krüger ,Dorothy Kenny ,Sheila Castilho ,Sergi Álvarez-Vidal ,Nora Aranberri ,María Isabel Rivas Ginel ,Janiça Hackenbuchner

- Venues:
- [TAITT](https://aclanthology.org/venues/taitt/) |[WS](https://aclanthology.org/venues/ws/)
- SIG:
- Publisher:

• European Association for Machine Translation

- Note:
- Pages:

• 52–62

- Language:
- URL:
- [https://aclanthology.org/2026.taitt-1.7/](https://aclanthology.org/2026.taitt-1.7/)
- DOI:
- Cite (ACL):

• Alina Karakanta. 2026. Beyond post-editing: A project-based module on MT and LLM integration for trainee translators . InProceedings of the 1st International Workshop on Teaching AI-Based Translation and Technologies (TAITT 2026) , pages 52–62, Tilburg, the Netherlands. European Association for Machine Translation.

- Cite (Informal):
- [Beyond post-editing: A project-based module on MT and LLM integration for trainee translators](https://aclanthology.org/2026.taitt-1.7/) (Karakanta, TAITT 2026)
- PDF:
- [https://aclanthology.org/2026.taitt-1.7.pdf](https://aclanthology.org/2026.taitt-1.7.pdf)