填空题
Historically, dictionaries have been thought of as dull and
mechanical which is perhaps why many teachers are reluctant to exploit them in
their classes. But these books have come a long way in recent years. This
passage is about how learner's dictionaries can be a stimulating source of
activities. You know that guilty feeling-your students could
really benefit from the excellent learner's dictionaries now available, but
somehow you can't find the time to check on their reference skills. I can't
count the number of times teachers have said to me, "In theory, we do dictionary
skills lessons every term, but actually it often seems to go by the
board." Perhaps that's pardy because dictionary activities used
to be rather dull and mechanical. So did the dictionaries. In the old days, they
were impenetrable books, full of complicated definitions and rather artificial,
made-up examples, which didn't really help the student find out what the word
meant or when and how it should be used. It's no wonder that language learners
were less than enthusiastic about dictionary work. But things
have come long way since then. Dictionaries themselves have become much more
user-friendly and accessible, and, as a result, they are more powerful and
valuable as teaching and learning tools. The once difficult
definitions have been replaced by easy-to-understand word explanations, which
are written in limited defining vocabularies. Headwords are often accompanied by
useful information, such as details about frequency and the examples of words
usage are typically authentic and illustrative. A similar
revolution has taken place with dictionary activities. In the past, workbooks
and worksheets concentrated on the mechanics of dictionary use, rather than
focusing on the user. The emphasis was on explaining conventions, and on working
through the various parts of an entry. Today, the new generation of dictionary
workbooks show how dictionaries can be used to help students improve their
reading comprehension, and, in some cases, their writing as well.
Let's look at receptive uses of a dictionary first. This is how
dictionaries are normally used-to look up the meaning of a word that is either
not known at all or not fully understood. One way of making
dictionary activities more realistic and stimulating has been achieved by
embedding dictionary activities in text-based work, thereby replicating the way
a student would normally use a dictionary, that is, to work from text to
dictionary. This enables the classroom teacher to use texts for a variety of
purposes: as practice for student has understood the meaning and that they know
about basics such as alphabetical order and so on. It's
important that students know how to deal with multi-sense words in English. As
teachers, we are all familiar with the very odd written work that results from
students looking up each and every word in a passage, and quite often producing
paraphrases that indicate that the student has selected the wrong sense of a
word. Viewing the word in context helps the student fully
understand the word or the meaning instead of trying to decode the word in
isolation. The activity on this page can be used with any multi-sense words
found in any text. It's very easy to create other exercises like this yourself.
Naturally, the words you choose must be presented in a definite context, and
they must have multiple meanings. Dictionary workbooks
increasingly include exercises that help students improve their writing skills.
Moreover, these are often of the best activities of the lot. Cartoons,
crosswords, snakes and ladders, and advertisements have all been used to create
interesting and lively activities, aimed at improving students' writing skills.
Some common ones are: choosing the right word, using gap-fill, and that old
faithful, multiple choice; using a phrase rather than a single word, for
example, look up to someone-instead of the easier, but less natural word admire;
manipulating phrasal verbs and other grammar problems; taking care not to make
common mistakes, like using an article with uncountable nouns, the crime instead
of just crime, for example. Dictionary workbooks now also
include group work so as to provide activities that are ideal for classroom use,
for example, using dictionaries to find words that describe your partner. To sum
up, dictionary activities have evolved to take advantage of the increased
richness of dictionaries. Today, they can be used to train learners to fully
exploit them as a key resource, both in class and for self-access. Learner
training can now encompass training in dictionary skills in order to further
learner independence. Mark each statement as either true
(T) or false (F) according to the passage.
填空题
Hard-to understand word explanations have replaced the once easy definitions in dictionaries.
填空题
From viewing the word in context, students can fully understand the word/meaning.
填空题
Students' writing skills can be improved through dictionary workbooks including exercises.
填空题
In the old days, dictionaries were very helpful to students.
填空题
Language learners were enthusiastic about dictionary work.