This study addresses the role that active translation may have in second language (L2) vocabulary learning. Some research suggests that translation might be an effective cognitive strategy for L2 vocabulary learning. Participants were 191 native French-speaking students enrolled in a TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) program.The study compared results across three different tasks: (1) L1 to L2 translation; (2) L2 to L1 translation; and (3) a rote-copying task. Results indicated significant short-term lexical recall following all three conditions, with no difference between the two translation conditions. However, a significant advantage was found for the rote-copying condition compared to the two translation conditions. (Contains 1 table and 1 note.)