Use of Dictionaries in Secondary Education: A Didactic Unit to Introduce Different Types of Dictionaries

Abstract

Nowadays, language students do not pay enough attention to the importance of how to use a dictionary, the correct use of them and the full range of dictionaries that are available to them. The aim of this project is to explain how to use a dictionary, the variety of dictionaries and how, as teachers, we can teach students how to use them properly. To do that, we have collected enough information to know how the correct use of dictionaries can facilitate the acquisition of a Second Language (L2) or Foreign Language (FL). We have also obtained information related with how online dictionaries facilitate language acquisition, in terms of motivation towards English as a Second Language (ESL).After that, we prepare a Didactic Unit (DU) in which to complete the activities, the students should use different dictionaries properly. We also consider the current methodologies to teach languages and this DU is based on Task-Based Language Teaching method. In this DU students should acquire city’s vocabulary and useful expressions because the main objective, the task of this DU, is to be able to walk around the city and ask or receive directions. Finally, and after the implementation of this DU, we will explain the conclusions that we have obtained and we will discuss the efficacy of the proposed unit.