Translation and its role in teaching process has been a discussed topic for a long time. The importance of translation has changed over the years according to the preferred teaching method. This article deals with its key role in the grammar-translation method and its rejection with the appearance of the direct (audio-lingual) method. The author confronts the dangers of translation overuse with the benefits its rational involvement brings both for teachers and learners. There are also activities and techniques suggested which make translation an effective teaching tool.