THE SPECIFICATION OF DICTIONARY

REFERENCE SKILLS OF ENGLISH

LANGUAGE STUDENTS
AT UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL IN
MULTAN
Irfan Shamsi
 Introduction
● The present study aims to investigate the dictionary use by
English language students, practices of dictionary teaching
and specification of the skills that might be taught at
undergraduate level.
● In order to develop the understanding and expressive
ability in language it is important to be employed
language learning strategies to deal with the unknown
words.
● Dictionaries are one learning strategy that students can
use to help them acquire new vocabulary knowledge.
● However, in order to utilize dictionaries well, students
need to know how to use them effectively.
 Statement of the Problem
➢Before the advent of the user perspective on lexicography,
the needs of dictionary users had largely been ignored, or
tacitly assumed to correspond with the current lexicographic
production.
➢As to the skills of the users, they had been taken for
granted, or even assumed to match those of professional
lexicographers.
➢During the last couple of decades there have been a quite
bit happening in lexicographic practice and a fair amount of
research as well. Unfortunately, the same can not be claimed
for dictionary skills training.
➢ The present research will highlight and specify the required
reference skills at undergraduate level.
 Significance of the Study
➢The study contributes to the linguistic and lexicographic
research with a special focus on reference skills of English
language learners in Multan. The study is significant on the
following basis:
➢This study highlights the importance of dictionaries in
general.
➢This study also highlights the importance of dictionary use
in the process of language learning.
➢This study emphasizes the importance of reference skills for
all learners of English at undergraduate level.
➢This study helps the publishers to improve the usefulness of
the dictionaries for language learners.
 Objective of the Study
➢The present study is undertaken with an
objective to highlight the importance and
usability of dictionary use in language
teaching and learning.
➢It specifies the reference skills that are
needed at undergraduate level and highlights
the specific skills that must be needed to the
language students at undergraduate level.
 Research Questions

The present study is based on following main and sub

questions which provide the framework for the study:

Main Question:
● How and when do ESL learners use dictionary during
learning English?
Sub-Questions:
● What reference skills are needed for a language learner
at undergraduate level?
● What reference skills must be taught at early level of
education?
Research Methodology

● The present research is descriptive in nature.

● This type of research describes what exists and may help to
uncover new facts and meaning.
● The primary source of data for this survey research will be the
response to a structured questionnaire administered for students
at undergraduate level and teachers teaching at the same level.
● In each case, initially the questions for information regarding the
dictionary use, specification of dictionary skills at undergraduate
syllabi and/or course materials and teaching dictionary skills will
be included.
Sample
The sample of study will comprise of 100 randomly selected
students learning English language in institutions in Multan
city and 25 teachers of same departments/institutions.

Delimitation of the Study

The present study is delimited to the evaluation of the
reference skills of undergraduate students learning English in
the institutions of Multan city.