Friday, 1 April 2011

How to use an ONLINE Dictionary?

A: Reading : If you click on the link below, you will find a tutorial about how to use an online dictionary.

How to use the LONGMAN DICTIONARY OF CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH ONLINE 

B. If you prefer images , here is a video tutorial:



 C. FAQs (Frequently asked questions) about dictionaries (Source)

1. Should I use a normal English dictionary, or a bilingual one?
It's generally better to use a normal English (monolingual) dictionary. There are three main advantages of these dictionaries:
* They give you practice in understanding English.
* As the definitions and examples are in English, you can see immediately how a word is used.
* Because many English words won't translate directly into your language, you have to be careful with bilingual dictionaries when you write down the meaning of the word.


2. Why can't I understand the definitions?
Perhaps your dictionary is too complicated. Try using one that's especially designed for learners of English at your level. It's annoying if you can't understand the definition or example sentence of a new word. It's much better to start off with a simpler dictionary, such as Longman Active Study Dictionary, then move on to a more complex one later.

3. How many words should there be?
No dictionary contains all the words and expressions in English (currently estimated to be around 1 million). The average person knows at least 60,000 words, so a useful dictionary will have around 80,000 words and expressions.


4. Why can't I find the words in my dictionary?
English is changing – every year there are new words and expressions. Make sure your dictionary is fairly new, as any dictionary older than a few years may be out-of-date. If you're looking for a special or technical word, it might be a good idea to invest in a specialised dictionary or search the Internet.

 D. Your Opinion (written activity)

Please, write in "comments" the answers to these two questions.
  1. What have you found interesting about on-line dictionaries?
  2. What have you learnt after watching the video or reading the tutorial?

6 comments:

  1. I have found this information really useful!because if you are working with your computer and you have a doubt ,you can check quickly on the web!
    After watching the video I have learnt about all the information that I can find about a word and how to use it in a sentence.

    festini tamara
    course code 1910

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  2. I have found interesting that i can search any word and know the differents meanings,how to use it,very quickly because for many people an on-line dictionary is more practical than nromal dictionaries.
    Now,i know how to search in an on-line dictionary and i learned that i can listen to the pronunciation.


    Alan Etchart
    PRE-FCE 1910Adultos

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  3. I have found on-line dictionaries very interesting becouse there are a lot of possibilities to look up a word. I learned that if yo want to know the spelling or a synonym it is very simply.
    Something that calls my atention is that meanings appears instantly, so it is better than use a handheld diccionary.

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  4. Sorry I've forgotten to put my name at the end!

    Florencia gamboa
    PRE-FCE 1910

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  5. The thing that I consider interesting about on line dictionaries is that I can check any word in a PC with internet very quick and then keep on working

    Lucas Oldrino
    PRE-FCE 1910

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  6. I've always found on-line dictionaries useful. Today the mayor of people have a good command with the pc, so this helps because you can look up a word in the computer easily and at the same moment you can learn more meanings, more uses and hear the pronuntiation. I have been using this kind of dictionaries for two years!

    Soledad Lezica
    PRE-FCE 1910

    ReplyDelete