A Study on the Use of Mobile Dictionaries in Vocabulary Teaching

Abstract

In recent years, rapid developments in technology has placed books and notebooks into the mobile phones and tablets and also the dictionaries into these small boxes. Giant dictionaries, which we once barely managed to carry, have been replaced by mobile dictionaries through which we can reach any words we want with only few touches. Mobile dictionaries with their audiovisual contents, has became an important source for vocabulary teaching. Further required studies are needed to use this source in a more efficient way and benefit from it more effectively. Starting from this point, this study elaborates on the use of mobile dictionaries in vocabulary teaching. In the first place, advantages and the limits of the use of these dictionaries in vocabulary teaching are tried to be determined by looking at the approaches of students to them and how frequent they are used. In light of the emerging data, new ways are sought to use these dictionaries as more efficient teaching material. To this end, a survey was conducted to seventy-eight students studying in German, French and English Translation and Interpreting Departments of Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Marmara University in 2015-2016 academic year. Survey form was prepared by receiving opinion of an expert and reviewing related literature. Descriptive statistic techniques were used in the analysis of data gathered. At the end of the study, almost all students expressed that they were constantly using mobile dictionaries to learn vocabulary. Besides, students put forth the advantages and limits of them. We hope this study will make contribution to studies regarding more efficient way to use of these dictionaries in vocabulary teaching.