This case study attempts to examine how students actually use the English dictionary, as
well as their perceptions concerning dictionary use for learning vocabulary, factors that
motivate them to learn vocabular
y through the dictionary, and problems that students
encounter in using the print dictionary. Data
from respondents was collected
using
questionnaires as the main instrument
.
A semi
-
structured interview was also conducted
for the purpose of eliciting more
information from respondents. The samples used in this
study were 201 Form Four students
of a secondary school in Kuching
who were selected
out of 14 classes by cluster random sampling method. Analysis of the data allows us to
see how students actually use
their dictionary, how they perceive the use of dictionary for
vocabulary learning, factors that motivate them to learn vocabulary through the
dictionary, and the problems students encounter in using the dictionary. Based on the
finding, it shows that stud
ents are not too dependent on the dictionary for new word
meanings but only do so after trying to deduce the meaning of the word from context. It
also indicates that students are positive towards the use of dictionary for learning
vocabulary. The most prom
inent factor that seems to influence students’ preference of
using the dictionary for learning the vocabulary is from parents. The finding also reveals
that a great majority of respondents acknowledge the fact that some word used in the
dictionary to defin
e a new word are found to be more difficult than the word itself