Dictionary Use and EFL Learning. A Contrastive Study of Pocket Electronic Dictionaries and Paper

摘要

Pocket electronic dictionaries (PEDs) are gaining in popularity with an increasing number of EFL learners inChinese colleges and universities and making an impact on the Chinese dictionary scene which is too great toignore. This study compares patterns of use and perceptions of PEDs and paper dictionaries (PDs). It also examinesthe effects of dictionary use on vocabulary acquisition under PED and PD conditions. Some different patterns of usebetween PEDs and PDs are identified, which seem to result from design features of different types of dictionaries.PEDs and PDs are perceived as with different advantages and disadvantages. It is also found that there are nosignificant differences between PED and PD use in comprehension, production and retention of vocabulary althoughthe speed of the former is significantly faster than the latter.