An idiom (phraseological) dictionary at school and at home: which to choose and how to use

Abstract

The paper presents the results obtained by analysing modern learners’ idiom dictionaries. The analysis was performed from linguistic and linguistic-methodological perspectives. The aim of the study is to show readers, primarily teachers of the Russian language, the ways of using data from idiom dictionaries in school practice; to propose guidelines on organising learners’ work with an idiom dictionary which is understood as a book of reference, a workbook, and a book for family reading. The application of componential, contextual, historical-etymological, linguoculturological analysis in conjunction with the techniques of etymological paraphrase and linguistic-methodological phraseographic construction enabled the authors of the paper to develop a conception of interactive aspectual and multifaceted presentation of idioms in learner’s dictionaries. The proposed conception is realized in published dictionaries and is also demonstrated in this research paper. The performed analysis of several idiom dictionaries revealed drawbacks in the formatting of such aspects of dictionary entries as the headword, the idiom definition, and the etymological commentary. The attention of those teachers who use idiom dictionaries is drawn to the mentioned shortcomings. Recommendations for choosing dictionaries presenting idioms correctly are formulated. Innovative learner’s idiom dictionaries (i.e. materials created in the Experimental laboratory of learners’ lexicography at Pskov State University) described in this paper comply with the activity approach in teaching. The correlation between the levels of mastering idioms and the parametric zones of dictionary entries in these projects is methodologically significant. Working with engaging etymological dictionaries in the classroom and at home develops young readers’ research skills, enables them to become familiar with the rich cultural and historical background of idioms. An idiom dictionary-practicum expands students’ active phraseological vocabulary and hones their speech skills. Dictionaries in stories recommended for family reading offer readers an engaging plot presentation of idioms and additionally contain a variety of tasks for joint creative work of adults and children. Thus, this comparison of modern learners’ idiom dictionaries should help teachers to select the most suitable dictionary and utilise it in class work according to the aims and objectives they want to achieve.