Presented by Theerarak Rodsin Naresuan University, Thailand

 Introduction  Conceptual framework  Methodology  Results  Discussion  Conclusion 2

 A dictionary is an important tool for learning the English language.  It helps to clarify word meaning and enriches English knowledge for users. 3

To investigate how English major students at Naresuan University usually use dictionary. 4

 Definitions of Dictionary  Types of Dictionaries  Forms of Dictionaries  Roles of Dictionaries in Language Learning  An Overview of Research Studies Conducted on the Use of Dictionaries 5

Definitions of Dictionary A dictionary is a reference giving equivalent words in two or more languages, and consists of an alphabetical list of words with: -meanings -parts of speech -pronunciation -etymologies and other lexical items The Collins English Dictionary (2003) 6

Types of Dictionaries Nation (2001) puts dictionaries into three types: 1. Monolingual dictionaries (Eng-Eng) 2. Bilingual dictionaries (Eng-Thai, Thai-Eng) 3. Bilingualised dictionaries. (Eng-Eng-Thai) 7

Nesi (1998) classifies dictionaries by modes of presentation: 1. Paper- based dictionaries 2. Computer-based dictionaries  Hand-held electronic ex. Talking dict, Cyber dict  CD-Rom  Online 8

Scholfield (1982a, 1997 as cited in Nation, (2001) points out dictionaries can be used for 1. Productive skills  speaking  writing 2. Comprehensive skills  listening  reading 9

An Overview of Research Studies Conducted on the Use of Dictionaries A number of recent studies, Alhaysony (2011), Ali (2012), Boonmoh (2010) and Ryu (2006) reported that many EFL learners prefer a bilingual dictionary to a monolingual dictionary. 10

An Overview of Research Studies Conducted on the Use of Dictionaries Alhaysony (2011) conducted a questionnaire survey and interviews to investigate the dictionary look-up behavior of Saudi female EFL students fourth-year university students majoring in English The results: - the bilingual dictionary English-Arabic - hand held electronic dictionaries 11

Ryu (2006) surveyed the needs and habits of 181 freshmen Korean EFL college students in using English dictionaries. The result also confirmed Alhaysony’s findings: - bilingual dictionaries 12

In terms of form, Boonmoh and Nesi (2007) reveal that pocket electronic dictionaries become popular among Asian learners of English in the past decade. 13

Taylor and Chan (1994) surveyed 494 students in Hong Kong. The result: -the informants preferred pocket electronic dictionaries to dictionaries in book form 14

An Overview of Research Studies Conducted on the Use of Dictionaries The main objective of dictionary use is to find out the meaning of words (Chan, 2011 and Ryu, 2006), information such as pronunciation, usage, and examples were also important. 15

Participants 110 first to third year English major students at the Faculty of Humanities, Naresuan University, Thailand 16

Data Collection The questionnaire was distributed to all participants during a regular class period. The researcher explained the research objectives and responded to questions concerning the questionnaire. 17

Data Analysis Checking the completeness and accuracy of the received information A frequency analysis was used to analyze the data 18

Results  The types of dictionaries use  The forms of dictionaries use  The purposes of dictionaries using  The use of dictionaries for different sort of activities 19

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 The majority of informants favoured bilingual dictionaries (English-Thai).  These types of dictionaries explain meanings in the learner’s mother tongue thereby making it easier to understand. 24

Discussion The informants preferred electronic dictionaries: pocket electronic dictionaries and online dictionaries. For their convenience, speed and various functions including verbal pronunciation 25

Discussion Finding the word meanings and parts of speech of words were the main purpose of consulting dictionaries. 26

Discussion The results are congruent with Ryu (2006) and Chan (2011) who also showed that participants usually look at meaning while they consulted the reference book. 27

Discussion Learning a foreign language, knowing the meaning of an unknown word is important in understanding the new language. 28

Discussion In listening and speaking, dictionaries were used less frequently because of the need for instantaneous translation. Presumably, dictionary users do not have time to consult dictionaries during these activities. 29

Discussion Reading and writing were activities in which participants always consulted dictionary. These two activities, learners have time to look up word meanings to understand their reading and to choose appropriate words for writing tasks. 30

The majority of English major students at Naresuan University preferred: - Bilingual dictionaries (English-Thai) -Electronic dictionaries: pocket electronic and online dictionaries. -Looking for word meanings was the main purpose of consulting dictionaries -Reading and writing were the activities in which learners usually used dictionaries 31