English as a Foreign Language University (EFL) Students’ Perception of Dictionary Use and Training

• Charpentier Jiménez, William ^[1]
  1. [1] Universidad de Costa Rica

     Universidad de Costa Rica

     Hospital, Costa Rica

     
• Localización: Educación: revista de la Universida de Costa Rica, ISSN 0379-7082, ISSN-e 2215-2644, Vol. 47, Nº. 1, 2023 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Journal of Education (January-June)), págs. 210-227
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.15517/revedu.v47i1.51685
• Títulos paralelos:
  • Percepción del uso y capacitación del diccionario por parte de estudiantes universitarios de Inglés como Lengua Extranjera (ILE)
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen
  • español

    Este artículo estudia la percepción de estudiantes de Inglés como Lengua Extranjera (ILE) sobre el uso y capacitación en el uso del diccionario. Las necesidades del estudiantado de inglés como lengua extranjera acerca de tipos de diccionarios específicos ha recibido poca atención. Esta investigación se llevó a cabo en una Universidad pública de Costa Rica con 48 estudiantes de inglés como lengua extranjera durante un año. Por medio de una encuesta, el investigador recolectó las opiniones del estudiantado sobre el papel del diccionario en su carrera. Los resultados indican que 1) no todos los tipos de diccionarios son usados o conocidos por las personas estudiantes, 2) el cuerpo estudiantil favorece el uso del diccionario electrónico sobre el diccionario impreso, 3) la capación en el uso del diccionario es débil a pesar de la importancia percibida por parte de las personas estudiantes. Estas conclusiones concuerdan con la literatura consultada. Además, las opiniones de las personas estudiantes sugieren que la exposición a diversos tipos de diccionarios y su capacitación no ha sido enfocada adecuadamente en el programa educativo de la lengua. Estos resultados deberían promover nuevas políticas educativas que promueven una inclusión sistemática y progresiva de la capacitación en el uso del diccionario en el plan de estudios.  

  • English

    This article examines students’ perceptions of dictionary use and training in English as a Foreign Language (EFL). The needs of English as a foreign language students in terms of specific dictionary types have received little attention. This research was conducted with 48 English as a foreign language students at a public university in Costa Rica over a year. The researcher used a survey (Appendix 1) to collect students’ opinions about the role of the dictionary in their major. Data indicates that: 1) not all dictionary types are known and used by students, 2) students favor the electronic dictionary over the paper dictionary, and 3) dictionary instruction is weak despite its perceived importance by learners. These conclusions are consistent with the literature surveyed. Furthermore, students’ opinions suggest that dictionary instruction and exposure have not been adequately approached in the language educational program. These results should advance new educational policies that promote the systematic and progressive inclusion of dictionary instruction across the study plan.  

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