The use of pocket electronic dictionaries as compared with printed dictionaries by Japanese learners of English

要旨

As L2 learners increasingly depend on electronic reference materials, it has become crucial to investigate how such materials are used and what impact they have on L2 learning.Pocket electronic dictionaries (EDs) have particularly become popular among Asian learners of English in the past decade.This study compared the use of EDs with PDs among Japanese university students.It also examined the relationships between students' ED use and their use of lexical processing strategies (LPS; consult, infer, or ignore), their vocabulary learning, and their reading.In order to construct a complete picture, this study investigated these issues both quantitatively and qualitatively, through multiple investigative techniques.This study consisted of two phases.In Phase 1, quantitative data were collected from 279 students, using a written questionnaire on LPS use, the Vocabulary Levels Test assessing vocabulary size, and the Reading Comprehension section of the TOEFL assessing reading proficiency.In Phase 2, both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from the 22 students selected from those who participated in Phase 1, through a followup interview about the questionnaire, retrospective think-aloud protocols elicited during a reading session, and two types of vocabulary tests administered a week after the reading session to assess word retention.

主題