The purpose of this article is to encourage further research on a professional translator training model designed to respond to the global reality of rapid and fundamental change, to which Canada as a member of the global community, must adapt. The traditional emphasis on reading, writing and mathematical competency in the school system is shifting to an emphasis on the mastery of technological skills and knowledge. In the process, what is frequently forgotten is that solid first language literacy skills (reading and writing), just like mathematical skills, are fundamental to all learning. In fact, technocratic and consumer societies are placing ever less value on, to the point of questioning the usefulness of, the traditional educational path to the translation profession. Mastery of French writing skills was achieved through the courses taken as part of French-Canada’s classical education system, based on Latin and Greek studies, or cours classique. The time has come to take a fresh look at professional translator training in order to take into account the new reality in terms of literacy.