Work

Attitudes of Jordanian school students toward dictionaries

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: This study aims to explore the attitude of English as a Foreign Language Learners (EFLL) in Jordanian schools about the use of different dictionary types - including paper-based, electronic monolingual, or electronic bilingual dictionaries. It also examines the challenges students face while using their dictionaries. To this end, a questionnaire was distributed among sixty-four students studying at the middle school level. The findings indicated a preference for electronic and bilingual dictionaries over monolingual paper dictionaries among most students. Based on their responses, the students predominantly use dictionaries to search for pronunciations (34.37 %) and various meanings of a word (polysemy and homonymy) (18.75 %). Preparation for speaking activities is primarily why they search for pronunciations. However, the search for abbreviations and parts of speech and other grammatical information is less frequent. Lastly, the students showed a preference for the use of more pictures and visual aids offered in pictorial dictionaries.

Source: Heliyon

DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e39499

Authors: Imran Alrashdan, Lana El-Migdady, Abdel Rahman Mitib Altakhaineh

Institution: University of Jordan

Language: English

Topic: Lexicography and Language Studies

Subfield: Language and Linguistics

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,100