The growing problem of English mother tongue competence is slowly being recognized by teachers in several disciplines, especially by teachers of translation. In a language degree course such as that at Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh, Scotland), which specializes in teaching translating and interpreting, a high standard of mother tongue competence is essential. While the majority of students arrive in the Department of Languages with a good level of such competence, there are some who, in the early stages of the 4-year course, are in need of assistance. It would then seem highly desirable, if not essential, that any course in translating should be preceded by a "monolingual" text processing course designed specifically to improve the trainee translator's mastery of his/her mother tongue. In this paper, relevant features of the type of course offered at Heriot-Watt University are identified, and aspects of the apparent decline in mother tongue competence and how the Department of Languages is moving towards resolving the problem are considered. The paper concludes with a description of one of several exercises that have proven popular and successful among students. (KM)