Correlation On Dictionary Use Strategy And Vocabulary Acquisition

With the development of lexicology, dictionary use, as a part of lexicology, has become ahot issue and get an increasingly attention by linguists and foreign language teachers. InEnglish vocabulary learning, dictionary use strategy is a kind of effective strategy. However,the studies in China on dictionary use strategy and vocabulary acquisition are in basic stage.The study aims to discuss the correlation on dictionary use strategy and vocabularyacquisition and try to find the dictionary use strategies which are suitable to high schoollearners. In order to make this study more convincing, this study takes a top to downquestionnaire mode, some of the undergraduates, postgraduates and doctoral students wereinvestigated. Most of them thought dictionary use strategies are useful in vocabulary learningand should be taught from high school. Then the author did questionnaires, interviews andvocabulary levels test to the students of senior middle school. All the research results areanalyzed by SPSS. The three research questions are included:(1) Are there any significantdifferences on dictionary use strategy and vocabulary knowledge?(2) Whether there aresignificant correlations between dictionary use frequency and vocabulary learning effect?(3)Are there any differences between major work class and ordinary class in dictionary usestrategy?The results indicate that:(1) Significant differences are indicated on English-Chinesedictionaries and electronic dictionaries, when to look up dictionaries and the choice of words;(2) There are Significant differences between good learners and poor learners in dictionaryuse strategy;(3) There are Significant differences between major work class and ordinaryclass in dictionary use strategy.In short, dictionary is the indispensable tool which is necessary for foreign languagelearners in their study. This paper has also raises some suggestions to students and teachers.From the students’ perspective:(1) Students should select the appropriate type dictionaries and appropriate dictionary use strategies on the basis of their purpose of study, thecharacteristics of learning and vocabulary level;(2) To develop good study habits and consultdictionary actively;(3) Electronic dictionaries should reasonable used and fully combinedwith paper dictionaries to improve learning efficiency. From the teachers’ perspective:(1)Suggestions can be given when the learner want to choose a suitable dictionary;(2) Thetypes, specific methods and strategies of dictionary should also be instilled into students mind;(3) Different kinds of dictionaries and suitable usage could be cultivated, dictionary skillscould be taught. Only by doing these, can the students overall language ability advanced.