The Role of the English Learner’s Dictionary in English Learning
Abstract: English learner’s dictionaries play a significant role as references or tools in English learning. Intelligent use of learner’s dictionaries is helpful to learners in developing their ability in independent thinking and solving problems, thus to cultivate the capacity of autonomous learning. However, researches about dictionary use at home and abroad indicate that most EFL learners are not efficient dictionary users. The problems may result from the fact that dictionary consultation for most learners occurs spontaneously after class without the teacher's guidance. Chapter 1 of this paper gives a sketch of the definition and history of English learner’s dictionary. Chapter 2 takes three authoritarian dictionaries as examples to illustrate special features of learner's dictionaries in grammar, examples, usage and word frequency, as well as main functions that they provide in English learning for EFL learners. Chapter 3 deals with a questionnaire, in which the data shows the basic situation of dictionary use among college students in China. The last part discusses the role of teachers concerning dictionary use in EFL teaching, and how the learners can make use of learner’s dictionaries to improve learner autonomy.
Key Words: English learner’s dictionary; dictionary-use strategy; learner autonomy
英语学习词典在英语学习中的作用
摘 要：英语学习词典已成为英语学习过程中的重要工具书和参考资料。它的正确使用有助于开发学生独立思考及独立解决问题的能力,从而培养自主学习的能力。但国内外有关词典使用情况的调查表明，多数词典使用者词典检索效果不理想，原因在于缺乏词典查阅指导。本文第一部分简述了英语学习词典的定义及其发展历史，第二部分则以三部权威词典为例分析英语学习词典在语法、例证、语用信息和词频等方面做出的特殊贡献及其对英语学习者提供的帮助。第三部分对60名英语专业大学生的问卷调查得出的数据进行了详细分析，指出我国大学生使用英语学习词典的基本情况。第四部分探讨教师在词典使用策略教学中所起的作用以及学习者如何更好地利用英语学习词典来提高自主学习能力。
关键词： 英语学习词典；词典使用策略；自主学习
CONTENTS
Introduction 1
1. Researches on English Learner's Dictionaries 1
1.1 The Definition of English Learner’s Dictionaries 1
1.2 Difference between Learner's Dictionaries and Native Speaker's Dictionaries 2
1.3 The Development of English Learner's Dictionaries 3
1.3.1 The Genesis of English Learner's Dictionaries 3
1.3.2 The Second Generation of English Learner's Dictionaries 3
1.3.3 The Third Generation of English Learner's Dictionaries 4
2. Features of English Learner's Dictionaries 5
2.1 Providing Detailed Grammatical Information 5
2.1.1 Parts of Speech 5
2.1.2 Irregular Written Forms 5
2.1.3 Sentence Patterns 6
2.2 Providing Rich Illustrative Examples 7
2.3 Providing Information about Usage 8
2.3.1 Help with Collocations 8
2.3.2 Useful Information Provided by Style Labels, Notes, Study Pages and Appendices 8
2.4 Providing Information about Word Frequencies 9
3. The Dictionary Use Questionnaire 10
3.1 Types of Dictionaries Used and Frequency of Consultation 11
3.2 Purposes of Consulting a Dictionary 13
3.3 Dictionary Use Habits and Strategies in Dictionary Consultation 14
3.4 Functions of Dictionaries that are Noticed and Checked 15
3.5 Sources of Dictionary Consultation Strategies 17
4. Dictionary Strategies and Language Proficiency 17
4.1 The Role of Teachers and Students Concerning Dictionary Use in EFL Teaching 17
4.2 Lexicographical Education 18
4.3 Consultation Strategy Training in Dictionary Use 19
4.4 Fostering Learner Autonomy in Various Learning Activities 20
5. Conclusion 21
Appendix 23
Bibliography 26
