Chapter one. The influence of teaching vocabularies

CHAPTER ONE. THE INFLUENCE OF TEACHING VOCABULARIES


1.1 Analysis
A dictionary is one of the most important tools during your time studying at a university. A good dictionary can help you understand your subject better, improve your communication and improve your grades by making sure you are using words correctly.
Dictionary is an acknowledged learning tool which has a tremendous role in acquiring a language. It has proved to be helpful in learning vocabulary and developing language proficiency. The use of monolingual dictionaries is thought to be very fruitful for learning vocabulary. The present study used survey method to gain the perception of the students about the use of monolingual dictionaries for learning EFL. The study also used interviews of EFL teachers to support the findings of the study by eliciting their perceptions about the use of dictionaries by students. A questionnaire was administered in two governmental secondary schools of Zulfi, Saudi Arabia. It was sent to 99 students but a number 92 students responded. Internal reliability of the questionnaire was.81. Descriptive statistical methods were used for analyzing the quantitative data. Additional interviews with 9 teachers were also conducted to support the findings of the questionnaire. Collective thematic analysis of all interviews was conducted to analyze the qualitative data. The results showed that students have positive views about the use of dictionaries for learning EFL; they prefer to use monolingual dictionaries, but they cannot truly use them because bilingual dictionaries are easier and more helpful for them in translation as well as their process of learning English language due to their low proficiency levels. The paper puts forth some recommendations and suggestions that will be helpful for using monolingual dictionaries. It concludes by focussing on the problems in handling monolingual dictionaries.

The knowledge of foreign languages is becoming increasingly important in today's globalized world. Learning foreign languages is essential if you are going to build a successful career, if you are planning to travel around the world or if you want to get further education abroad. So, nowadays more and more people are learning foreign languages. There are lots of language schools, private teachers and manuals for self-tuitions to choose from. However, if you want to be fluent in any foreign language, you should be ready to study a lot.

For a long period of time, the teaching of dictionary skills has not been included in textbooks as apparently that they did not play an important role in foreign language learning. As a consequence, the use of dictionaries was discouraged in the English classroom setting.

A similar situation happened with the use of translation in EFL classes when communicative approaches started being established. However, nowadays the situation has changed and both, dictionaries and translation, are starting to be recognised again as useful skills in language teaching and learning.
From my point of view, dictionaries are valuable learning tools as they offer students the opportunity…show more content…
This is the reason why language instructors should teach students how to use dictionaries adequately, making them aware of the information they contain (pronunciation, definition, type of word) and their usefulness. This will provide students with the opportunity of becoming autonomous language learners and practitioners. For instance, dictionaries offer a fast way to know the meaning of an unknown word when reading a text as well as they are an essential tool when writing assignments in order to check the spelling of uncertain words. Nevertheless, dictionaries do not only help students in their language process but also in their educational…show more content…
The inclusion or exclusion of students’ native language in English language classrooms has been a controversial issue for a long time (Brown, 2000). The use of translation in EFL lessons has been questioned for many years. However, recently, the use of the mother tongue has been further acknowledged that its use can have a positive impact in foreign language teaching and learning.
As Shiyab and Abdullateef (2001) stated, translation is extremely important for foreign language teaching because it allows conscious learning and control of the foreign language. Furthermore, it reduces native language interference.

Learning vocabulary is essential since it is requirement for the learners in order to able to speak, write, and listen well. In learning vocabulary we have to know the meaning of it and can use it in sentence context. Young learners have to be initially introduced basic vocabulary. They have to know the meaning of words, understanding the meaning and pronouncing the word correctly. Learning English vocabulary for the young learners should be made fun.

The approbation of the method of generating a thematic vocabulary and forming it up in a dictionary of the group of students finished in high increase of the interest of the learners to the process of study, effective mastering of lexis and new thematic vocabulary, parallel to the process of lexeme enrichment the grammar rules and forms were learnt, as every dictionary entry is supposed to include basic grammar characteristics, such as morphemic and functional. The task was to compile a thematic dictionary on the material of the unit in writing. The task was individual and was for homework. In class students had an opportunity to compare their results, to discuss them and unite in a group dictionary, joining their efforts. Depending on the learning objectives, tasks given by a teacher can vary. Speaking about the topics of the dictionary, they can comprise wider and narrower concepts and notions of the general themes, such as: - Relationship; - Communication; - Work; - Emotions and feelings; Students of the first and second courses would necessarily have to polish their knowledge of the English as a foreign language on the following broad thematic areas: 1. Person; 2. Society; 3. Work, employment; 4. Leisure time, hobbies; 4. Foreign countries, travelling; 5. Environment, etc. depending on the level of the group and requirements of the program. (Spirina 2014) The dictionaries created through joint efforts of the student and the teacher in the form of communicative and informative activity can follow the example of the existing specialized thematic dictionaries The compilation activity increases cognitive activity of the learners and develops their mental abilities. The process of working on the English-Tatar dictionary for learners usually involves the following steps: 1) determination of the structure of the dictionary; 2) determination of the volume of the dictionary; 3) selection of word units; 4) drawing up a list of frequency; 5) the location of the most frequent translations words in order. The selection of units is conducted in accordance with the objectives of learning, taking into account the following criteria: a) lexical units belonging to the definite branch of knowledge; b) their frequency; c) word-formation ability. Ignorance of grammar characteristics of words leads to a wrong understanding of the text a large percentage of errors. That is why in the English-Tatar dictionary for learners the grammatical characteristics of a lexeme is given after each of the word, as a second part of the dictionary entry. It is necessary to focus students' attention on the semantic and causes of a sentence. Sometimes complex relationships between the elements of semantic text cause difficulty for students. The words as still, conversely, while, however, thus, furthermore, as a result, to be more precise, and others are included within the text of the English-Tatar dictionary for learners. They express different logical relationships within the text: explanation, clarification, comparison, the expansion of the concept, the opposition, summing up. Thus a user is enabled to build a complete statement and to perform the correct translation (Arslanova 2003, Ayupova 2014). The major principle of compiling the ET dictionary bulk is sufficiency of the word stock. This principle is enriched by the principle of communicative value and compatibility. Thus, the ET dictionary makes possible the communicative form of learning. The prior step, though, is the recognition and understanding of the meaning of the word. Thus, the "passive" vocabulary of the learner becomes "active". The thematic dictionary can be compiled by students and teachers in class, this activity will contribute to communicative and cognitive activity of a learner. In the course of work with the ET dictionary the use of the lexis is optimized and the memorization of vocabulary is enhanced.
A foreign language dictionary is an essential tool for speakers and learners of foreign languages. Here we discuss the various types of foreign language dictionaries available and make some recommendations based on current research about language learning about the kinds of dictionaries that work best.

A foreign language dictionary is an essential tool for speakers and learners of foreign languages. Here we discuss the various types of foreign language dictionaries available and make some recommendations based on current research about language learning about the kinds of dictionaries that work best.

Which dictionary is recommended to be used by foreign language learners?

So, it is important to mention which is the best option for foreign language learners. Bilingual dictionaries may be the easiest ones for learners to use as they include both the language we already know and the language we are learning. However, it is always more efficient to use language learner's dictionaries.