The Use of Mobile Dictionaries in Developing EFL Students’Vocabulary Level

Abstract

The present study attempts to explore the role of mobile dictionaries in enhancing second year licence EFL students’ vocabulary level. It also aims at finding out whether or not the students use mobile dictionaries in order to learn vocabulary and the frequency of such a practice. Accordingly, the study also purports to determine the students’ vocabulary level and the possible match between the frequency of mobile dictionary use and vocabulary level. The present study is directed by the hypothesis stating that second year licence EFL students who frequently use mobile-based dictionaries will achieve better results and will develop their vocabulary level more than those who don't use them. To this end, and with relevance to such aims and to the research questions, descriptive research design has been adopted and quantitative tools have been implemented. Both a structured questionnaire and a vocabulary test were utilized to gather the needed data. The questionnaire was directed to sixty (60) out of two hundred fifty (250) second year licence LMD students at the Department of English, University of Mohammed Seddik Ben yahia, Jijel. In addition to that,a vocabulary level test was adapted and used in the study. The results of both the questionnaire and the test have come to confirm the hypothesis. The results of the present study reveal that mobile dictionaries can be considered as an effective device for vocabulary learning. On the basis of these results, some pedagogical recommendations are suggested for more efficient and optimal results of vocabulary learning