From time immemorial, reflection upon foreign language learning has made regular reference to translation practice; translation would be regarded at times as supportive of language learning. A radical attempt to eradicate translation from the foreign language classroom comes no sooner than the 20th century. The Direct Method eliminates translation completely from its language pedagogic application, while the CLT seems to have always been rather hesitant to make reference to L1, and hence to utilize translation in developing language skills in L1 and L2. The historical outline of the relationship between language learning and translation serves only as a background for the main topic of the article, i.e. an elaboration on what this relation can look like in the future. The idea is to show areas of synergy between the two, areas in which translation activities can help language learners grow and function in globalized human communication.