Effective Dictionary Use Academic Performance

The dictionary is an indispensable tool in both learning a foreign language and in translation. It helps learners be autonomous and master the foreign language being learned. The present study investigates English language and translation students’ habits and knowledge regarding dictionary use. Ninety five translation students at Sohar University answered a questionnaire about dictionary use. The data reveals that there is a direct relationship between effective dictionary use and good academic performance. It also shows that most respondents are not effective dictionary users and they lack proper knowledge about the layout and the content of different parts of the dictionary. Given the results of this research, it is imperative that teaching dictionary skills be integrated in most foundation level courses at university. To achieve the sought results, teachers should be oriented and even trained on how to develop students’ dictionary skills.