Reading
Today's English learner has a wide choice of dictionaries in which to
choose from. There are dictionaries with American English, with British
English, with idioms or slang, and even with pictures. One of the most
popular dictionaries I have seen among many students are talking
electronic dictionaries. All you have to do is type in a word in your
language and you can see it and hear it in English. That's great,
right? Well, I think it's great, too... but only sometimes.
Bilingual electronic dictionaries are fast and easy. They can be
great when you are traveling and need information quickly. But I am
against electronic dictionaries and even bilingual paper dictionaries in
many cases. Let me explain...
When you reach an intermediate level of English (about the level of
5 Minute English) you know enough of the language to ask
the meaning of certain things while using English. Translating
between languages in your head takes time. You should be translating as
little as possible and you should be thinking in English as much as
possible. I strongly recommend that intermediate and advanced students
use an English-English dictionary made especially for your
understanding. For example, Longman has a good dictionary for
students. Other companies do, too.
I also feel that paper (book) dictionaries are better for studying
than electronic dictionaries. True, they take longer to use. But, for
some reason, the information you look up seems to stay in your head
longer. It may be because you were forced to spell the word in your
head and therefore "see it" more clearly in your mind.
So what do you do if you have checked an English-English dictionary
and still don't understand something? Go to your bilingual dictionary.
It is useful sometimes. Just remember to try to stay in English as much
as possible.
