Abstract
This article reports on a small-scale study of Thai-speaking learners using pocket electronic dictionaries (PEDs) to read an English news article. It investigates how the subjects use their PEDs for reading comprehension. Thirty-nine undergraduate students completed a questionnaire survey. Of these, four were chosen to participate in the experiment. Observations and interviews were utilized to ascertain how the subjects used their PEDs. The findings showed superficial and partial reading of the dictionary entries. It also revealed several factors that may hinder dictionary look-up success. On the basis of this research, guidelines for buying PEDs and for teaching PED skills are proposed. Keywords: Dictionary Use, Pocket Electronic Dictionary, Dictionary Consultation, Monolingual Dictionary, Bilingual Dictionary
Highlights
Educators usually recognize the reliability of the major printed English learner's dictionaries, but they are less likely to appreciate pocket electronic dictionaries (PEDs) since PEDs are normally developed and advertised in terms of their technology rather than their lexicographical features
At King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), Thailand, teachers have encouraged undergraduates to buy either the Longman Active Study Dictionary (LASD), or the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary (CLD), which is used as a key text in dictionary training skills courses
The students were required by their tutors to purchase the monolingual dictionary, but PED use seems to have been the students' own choice
Summary
Educators usually recognize the reliability of the major printed English learner's dictionaries, but they are less likely to appreciate pocket electronic dictionaries (PEDs) since PEDs are normally developed and advertised in terms of their technology rather than their lexicographical features. 1.2 Research methods of researching PED use Questionnaires and interviews have been among the most frequently used instruments for PED research (Boonmoh and Nesi 2008, Deng 2005, Sobkowiak 2002, Koren 1997, Tang 1997, and Taylor and Chan 1994) since they can be used as a way of obtaining results from a great number or respondents. They can be useful for identifying general trends which might be examined more. PED consultation is a private activity, observing its use may provide us with a better understanding of how students really use their PEDs
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