An Investigation Into English Dictionary Use Among Postgraduates Of Non-english Major And Its Relationship With Autonomous English Learning

In the process of foreign language learning, dictionaries are indispensablereference books for foreign language learners, and the use of dictionaries is integralpart of learning progress. As irreplaceable tools for language learner, dictionaries havegone through changes over time with the advance of modern technology, a variety ofdictionaries emerge in the market, from the original paper-based dictionaries toelectronic dictionaries, the up-to-date ones are online dictionaries and mobile phonedictionaries. For one thing, dictionary is one of the most practical tools for learners tosolve problems in their language learning process; to be more specific, dictionaryconsultation occurs frequently in their autonomous language learning. For another,knowing how to consult a dictionary efficiently is one of the essential parts inautonomous language learning. More and more attention has been given to cultivatelearners’ autonomous language learning ability which is of great significance forlanguage learners to know how to use dictionaries well. Therefore, it is of necessityfor EFL learners to make efforts to intensify their strategies of consulting dictionariesto improve their autonomous English learning competence.Based on the literature review, a survey was implemented among post-graduates,from which all of the participants were non-English major freshmen in theirpost-graduate study. This paper seeks to address following issues:1) The general picture of English dictionary use and autonomous English learningamong non-English major postgraduates;2) The distinctive dictionary use features employed by non-English majorpost-graduates;3) The relationship between English dictionary use and autonomous English learningamong non-English major postgraduates;Two questionnaires are involved in the study, namely dictionary usequestionnaire, and autonomous English learning questionnaire, the formerquestionnaire was based upon the study developed by Zhao Wei(2004), Lang’s(2003)and Luo Siming’s (2003) research, with which some modifications have beenconducted. And the latter one was designed by Xu(2004). The results exhibit that the overall situations concerning English dictionary useamong non-English major postgraduates are not quite satisfactory. A large number ofpostgraduates show passiveness while dictionary consultation, and most of them don’tknow how to use dictionary effectively as lack of lexicographic knowledge.Secondly, according to the questionnaire, mobile phone dictionary, onlinedictionary and vocabulary glossaries for CET4/6are gradually winning their positionsamong non-English major postgraduates.Thirdly, for most of postgraduates, dictionary is just a tool for them to find outthe meaning of entry words, with the most frequent checking functions such asdefinition, pronunciation, example sentences, and most of the non-English majorpost-graduates focus on equivalents of the target language.Most postgraduates reported that they are inclining to look-up new words in thedictionary while reading due to the fact that students lack strategies in consulting adictionary.In addition, most postgraduates’ autonomous English learning capability are ator below the medium level.Lastly, correlation analysis reveals that dictionary use is positively related toautonomous English learning. Knowing how to use dictionaries effectively willpromote learners’ autonomous English learning competence.With regard to the results, some pedagogical implications and enlightenment canbe drawn. It is necessary for teachers to give elaborately lectures to postgraduates onhow to use dictionaries as well as select appropriate dictionaries according to theirlanguage proficiency. Dictionary as an encyclopedical tool can be applied todiversified language learning activities. It is the learners themselves who should takeinitiative on employing dictionaries to foster their different language learning skills invarious language learning activities, such as listening, speaking, writing, translation,and not restricted using dictionaries in reading process only.