Fostering Learners' Online Dictionary Skills through Active Dictionary Rubrics

Abstract

This article aims to explore new ways to improve dictionary skills for language learners by promoting the use of active dictionary rubrics. It also tries to get a deeper understanding on how students perceive dictionaries before and after this type of training in dictionary use. To this end, a total of 75 students participated in the study and answered a questionnaire on dictionary use previous to the experiment. A second questionnaire was delivered after the instruction period to compare the users' perception of dictionary affordances. A mixed-method approach is used to collect quantitative and qualitative data via both questionnaires. This study reports on students' dictionary content awareness and how this awareness may increase by creating a habit in dictionary use routines. Keywords: dictionary use, dictionary users, dictionary rubrics, English Language Teaching (ELT), dictionary skills, online dictionaries, dictionary consultation, writing skills, learners' dictionaries, dictionary use training