Comparing the Effect of Using Monolingual versus Bilingual Dictionary on Iranian Intermediate EFL Learners’ Vocabulary Learning

Saeideh Ahangari,Shokoufeh Abbasi Dogolsara

doi:10.5539/elt.v8n6p141

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of using two types of dictionaries (monolingual and bilingual) on Iranian intermediate EFL learners’ vocabulary learning. An OPT (Oxford placement test, 2001) was administered among 90 students 60 of whom were selected as the participants of this study. They were sophomore students studying English as a foreign language, with the age range of 19-27. They were then divided into two comparison groups: Monolingual Dictionary (MD) and Bilingual Dictionary (BD) groups. A pretest of vocabulary was administered to both groups. Then both groups were given a five-session treatment. One group was taught vocabulary based on monolingual dictionary, and the other group was taught vocabulary through bilingual dictionary. After the treatment, the same version of vocabulary test was given to both groups as posttest to check the effectiveness of the treatments. The results of Paired-Samples and Independent Samples t-tests revealed that the effect of monolingual dictionary on learners’ vocabulary learning was more than that of the bilingual dictionary use. The implications and recommendations will also be presented.

Highlights

Dictionary plays an important role in learning vocabulary
An OPT (Oxford placement test, 2001) was administered among 90 students 60 of whom were selected as the participants of this study. They were sophomore students studying English as a foreign language, with the age range of 19-27. They were divided into two comparison groups: Monolingual Dictionary (MD) and Bilingual Dictionary (BD) groups
One group was taught vocabulary based on monolingual dictionary, and the other group was taught vocabulary through bilingual dictionary

Summary

Introduction

Dictionary plays an important role in learning vocabulary. There is little doubt that dictionary is one of the indispensible instruments for vocabulary learning (Zarei & Lotfi, 2013). In EFL situations, language learners make use of different kinds of dictionaries for a variety of purposes, both at work and in education. Eeds and Cockrum (1985) highlighted the important role of dictionary and its use as the conventional method of instruction in both first and second language learning. Dictionaries, as the conventional method of instruction, provide information about the language, usually not found elsewhere. They supply useful information concerning grammatical points, usage, formality or informality, synonym, use of derivative affixes, and discrimination between spoken and written English which are not generally dealt with in textbooks. Using dictionaries can be seen as an explicit strategy for learning a foreign language vocabulary or as communication strategy”

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