Non-English Majors' Dictionary Use In Vocabulary Learning

The research of dictionary use, as a branch of lexicography, is receiving more and more attention, and quite a number of classifications of specific areas within this branch have been suggested. The study of dictionary use in EFL vocabulary learning is one of the important areas of the research. However, empirical studies on the relationship between dictionary use and vocabulary learning are still insufficient, especially in the Chinese EFL context.The present study employs how the non-English majors use dictionary in learning vocabulary. The students' dictionary use strategies and opinions are collected through a questionnaire and interviews. A vocabulary test is designed to show the students' vocabulary proficiency. Then with the help of SPSS, a correlation analysis is made toprobe how various dictionary use strategies related to vocabulary knowledge. A T-testis made to show the subjects' differences in dictionary use between good learners and poor learners. Results indicate that non-English majors prefer to use Chinese-English bilingual dictionary with only Chinese explanations, and they also prefer electronic dictionary when they take dictionary as a resource in vocabulary learning. It was also discovered that consulting dictionary for the purpose of usages and derivations are beneficial to the development of vocabulary knowledge.Meanwhile, the research shows that good learners are more skillful in dictionary use than poor learners. Dictionary use, as a resourcing strategy in cognitive strategy, is essential for language learners in acquiring vocabulary knowledge. So students are encouraged to make good use of dictionary in their vocabulary learning and teachers are responsible for developing their skills in dictionary use.