Abstract：Dictionaries play an indispensable role in learning English. In recent years, dictionary use research has become a hot issue in lexicography and received much concern from many scholars and researchers. At present, many studies have pointed out the importance of English dictionary use in the vocabulary learning but most focus on non-English majors, and the range of vocabulary. This thesis analyzes the correlation between English dictionary use in college English majors and their English vocabulary proficiency with its focus on the depth of vocabulary, making explorations for the relationship between dictionary use and English proficiency, hoping to draw some inspirations related to English language teaching and learning to guide students to use the dictionary effectively so that they can improve their English learning efficiency. Nanjing Xiaozhuang College English major sophomore, junior and senior students are chosen to complete a questionnaire and a test to show that the students’ English dictionary use benefit their English proficiency that finds its most explicit expression in their vocabulary proficiency. 

Key words: English majors; English dictionary use; language proficiency; vocabulary proficiency 

CONTENTS

摘要

Abstract

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Research on Dictionary Use-1

1.2 Research on English Proficiency of College Students-3

2. English Dictionary Use in English Majors’ English Learning-3

2.1 The Status Quo of English Majors’ Language Learning-3

2.2 Necessity of English Dictionary Use in English Majors’ Language Learning-5

3. The Positive Role of English Dictionaries in Vocabulary Acquisition-6

3.1 Vocabulary Acquisition & English Proficiency-6

3.2 Questionnaire-7

3.3 Vocabulary Tests-8

3.4 Results and Analysis-8

4. Conclusion-11

Bibliography

Acknowledgments