Interacting with words and dictionaries: The case of jordanian efl learners

Abstract

This paper reports the findings of a case study that investigated how 50 Jordanian Arab university students of English interacted with words and dictionaries while reading a specialized text in linguistics. 1 The data was obtained through dictionary use records and structured interviews. The results showed that most of the look-ups were for 'general' words. Meaning and pronunciation were the prime purposes of dictionary use. Moreover, the overwhelming majority of the look-ups were not proceed by any predictionary use strategy. The study also showed that monolingual dictionaries were used more frequently than bilingual ones; they were also found more useful. Most of the consulted dictionaries were general. Both print and electronic dictionaries were used; however, the use of both specialist and electronic dictionaries was limited to a few subjects. © 1999 Oxford University Press.