Reference Materials
Dictionaries are useful tools in learning a language. You can find electronic gadgets, software, online
resources, and even as apps to be loaded on your cell phone. It is amazing!! Students can get answers of
their questions about words everywhere! anywhere! anytime !!
Example 1
The dictionary, which explains English words in English. (This type of dictionaries
is for intermediate or advanced studens.)
( Merriam-Webster )http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/technology
Technology
a : the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular
area : ENGINEERING 2 <medicaltechnology>
b : a capability given by the practical application of knowledge <a car's fuel-saving technology>
2
: a manner of accomplishing a task especially using technical processes, methods, or
knowledge<new technologies for information storage>
3
: the specialized aspects of a particular field of endeavor <educational technology>
— tech·nol·o·gist \-jist\ noun
Example 2
The dictionary, which explains English words in a foreign language. (This type of
dictionaries is for beginner students.)
( Weblio ) http://ejje.weblio.jp/
Technology
1【不可算名詞】 [具体的には 【可算名詞】] 科学技術，テクノロジー.
industrial technology 生産技術.
用例
2【不可算名詞】 応用科学.
an institute of technology 《主に米国で用いられる》 (理)工科大学, 工業大学.
用例
3【不可算名詞】 [集合的に] 専門用語，術語.
Some other useful online dictionaries…..
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http://www.learnersdictionary.com/
http://www.visuwords.com/fullscreen/
http://wordweb.info/
http://www.pdictionary.com/
Concordances
Concordances are bodies of authentic language samples from a wide variety of sources
arranges in such a way on a page that key word or phrases is highlighted many times so that the
word or phrases and the surrounding context are able to be linguistically analyzed.
Corpus Concordance English
http://www.lextutor.ca/conc/eng/
http://www.just-the-word.com/
Translators (Bilingual Dictionaries)
In the old days, one had to use a bilingual dictionary when doing translation work. Now there are several
online resources that can translate not only words, but whole phrases or sentences. Even Microsoft
Word has a translate function.
Example:
Spanish: Mis alumnos son los mejores estudiantes en todo el mundo.
English Translation: My students are the best students worldwide.
French: Mon chien mangé mes devoirs.
English Translation: My dog ate my homework.
Hebrew: ‫?זה ספר לקנות יכול אני איפה‬
English Translation: Where can I buy this book?
Russian: Брат Кристенсен это мой любимый учитель.
English Translation: Brother Christensen is my favorite teacher.
Chinese (Taiwan): 紅色跑車開車路上非常快。
English Translation: Red sports car on the road very quickly.
Chinese (PRC): 当我年轻的时候我隔壁的女孩子爱上了。
English Translation: When I was young when I fell in love with the girl next
door.
Japanese: Brother Wyman makes very hard tests. (Sorry, too hard for the translator programs. Can you
find one that works?)
Japanese Translation: ブラザー・ワイマンは、非常に難しいテストを
行い.
I think it is the best way to teach how to use translator program and the variations to students.
Therefore, students can go home and use translators if they need them to enrich their language
knowledge.