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USING ELECTRONIC CAMBRIDGE DICTIONARY IN TEACHING ENGLISH PRONUNCIATION

Agustinus Marjun (Email: agomickjohn@gmail.com)

INTRODUCTION

Being able to communicate in English is effectively indispensable in today’s world. Therefore, pronunciation is very important in spoken communication. Precisely pronunciation is highly considered in speaking. Pronunciation is a salient element of effective communication not only to communicate ideas easily but also to understand other speakers well. When speaking, someone must utter the words clearly to avoid misunderstanding. Thus, to communicate correctly we need to correct pronunciation, because pronunciation affects very much on the understanding of the meanings of the words. If the sound of words differs, it may lead the listener to some other meanings.

Having a good English pronunciation means that someone is able to produce sound patterns that are recognizable as English, able to understand the meaning of what is said and also able to understand the purpose of what is said. This also clarified by Burns and Claire (2003) categorized the aspect of pronunciation that one needs to be good at, namely: “Intelligibility, Comprehensibility, and Interpretability” (P.5). English pronunciation skill is not easy to acquire especially for English Second Language learners. Frazer (2001) stated that “pronunciation is one of the most problematic aspect for both students and English teachers” (p.5). The inconsistency of English pronunciation may bring difficulties for learners to determine which sound refers to what letter in word. For example, minimal pairs of English word which means that minimal pairs are two (or more) words that are identical except for a single phoneme which occurs in the same position in each word.

While using the rapid progress of technology from day in day, teachers should be creative in choosing the best aid tool in teaching and learning process. Teaching by using technology example computer could bring an effective learning process.  Thus, one of important thing about the impact of technology in teaching process that must be underlined “technology should be incorporated into teaching pedagogy. So that students will not only effectively acquire a second language, but also develop electronic literacy skills especially in everyday and professional life.

Teaching a language through traditional media is not enough such as reading and writing, people need the skills of electronic literacy, such as accessing, evaluating, and utilizing information” (TESOL,2008. p.15). One of simple example a progress of technology such as dictionary. It had been developing  as an important aid tool such as paper dictionary and electronic dictionary which has a good impact in helping every language learners especially EFL Learners (English Foreign Language Learners) learning English Language. The awareness of teachers and learners in using the dictionary practically could make any choice in choosing which the best dictionary that need to be used. Whatever the choice is in aim to create the easiest way on learners mastery English language.

Nowadays, there were  various the development of electronic dictionaries in which each of them always compete in exhibiting the best quality. For example, some of electronic dictionary as a tool for learning English were complete with how to pronounce clearly through by sound recording both of English American and English British. Electronic dictionaries (Eds) had been developing and most available for all of electronic device such as : computer, laptop, mobile phone and online dictionary. It could be one of good aid tool for helping EFL Learners in learning English. Recently, a study in Weschler’s research (2008) showed that “the most popular dictionary is Eds (Electronic Dictionary) than paper dictionary because EDs were quick and easy to use” (p.1). In His experiment- research proved that an obvious advantage of electronic dictionaries are speed in searching word and also in looking up process in which it will help EFL learners for carrying an easiest way to create a greater understanding of the language and various ways it may be used. Usefulness of the electronic dictionary is based on its capability to get information quickly, providing information that will need when it’s needed. Most Electronic dictionaries offer excellent grammar resources that offer for user a detailed explanation especially on pronunciation features. Then, another advantage of EDs is the user may accept or even reject any kind of suggestions the next choose which available on it.

Role of Electronic Cambridge Dictionary Third Edition for Pronunciation Practice

Nowdays, it is not a surprise to see a rapid expansion of dictionary called Electronic Dictionaries (EDs). It can be used for any kind of purposes such as : a tool to find out word meaning or even as a medium for teaching and language learning. Kelly, G(2000 :126) suggests the using of good dictionary may be  an effective way for helping students to know phonetic symbol but teachers should manage well in classroom in order to become more familiar with the dictionary.

Recently, development in technological tools has improved the development of electronic dictionary. Furthermore, with easy and quick access, the number of electronic dictionaries (EDs) users has been rapidly expanding. Previous research proved there were many comparisons between the use of electronic dictionary and paper dictionary which indicated that electronic dictionary was more useful. Amerian et al (2013: 37) state that “Compared with traditional paper dictionaries, the electronic dictionaries can provide a greater range of lexical information, easy to carry around and use, sound is available, they provide a variety of routes for searching, they can be linked to other applications, and the database contains extra information”.

 One of popular of electronic dictionaries is CALD3 (Cambridge advanced learners dictionaries third edition). CALD3 is an electronic dictionary which can help learners to find English word. This easy-to-use electronic dictionary for advanced learners of English contains all the words, phrases and examples found in the printed version of the dictionary, plus these additional features:

1.  Recordings of every word in British and American English, record and play back to practice our own pronunciation.

2.   Extra collocation information and thousands of example sentences.

3.   Quick find and super write, mini pop-up versions of the dictionary, giving instant definitions when reading or writing on-screen.

4.   Interactive exercises including exam practice and real past papers for IELTS, FCE, CAE, CPE and BEC.

5.   Helpful buttons to see extra information displayed on verb endings, word building, usage note and common learner’s errors.

      Most of dictionary even electronic dictionary or paper dictionary has diverse features. Therefore, it is very important for knowing how to use it effectively.

Features of Electronic Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary-3rd Edition

1.      General view of CALD3

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 3rd Edition 2008 full version (ISO Format) File Size 754.00 MB. This brand new edition of  the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary and CD-ROM is now more user-friendly than ever. The clear definitions and prominent guide words help you to find the meaning that you want quickly and easily, and even more pictures and illustrations help highlight variations in meaning that are essential for the advanced student’s progression. Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary CD-ROM has a fresh new design, and is now even easier to use. You can listen to every word in British and American English and even record your own pronunciation and-play it back. You can now add your own notes to any entry in the dictionary too.

1.   System Requirements PC:

300 MHZ processor or higher, 256 mb RAM (512 mb recommended)

CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, Microsoft Windows 2000 XP,7,8 or Vista, 300 mb free hard disk space, a sound card with speakers or headphones, a microphone if you wish to record yours if speakinga mouse or compatible pointing devicesuper VGA, 16-bit color or higher monitor supporting 800x600 or higher resolution, Adobe Reader 7 or 8

2.   Dictionary overview

a.  It was really easy to look up a word using Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Simply type in the word and click Find. All words and phrases in the dictionary that match, or partly match, the word are displayed. For more details, see to look up a word in the dictionary.

b.   If you don't know how to spell a word, you can just type part of it and use wild cards. Wild cards are symbols that represent letters or other characters. Wild cards are also useful for finding words that all have the same ending, for example. See Using wild cards to find a word for more information.

c.  The dictionary entry for the highlighted search result is shown in the main screen area. For an explanation of the information displayed, see Understanding dictionary entries.

d. You can look up the meaning of any word you see in the dictionary that you don't recognize, simply by double-clicking on it. See Using the Look up window for more details.

e.  If you find a dictionary entry particularly useful you might want to print it. You could also print the entries currently displayed in the main screen area or the list of words or phrases in the Results tab. See the topics to print the currently displayed selection, to print a dictionary entry and to print the results tab for details. Copying from the dictionary is explained in the topics To copy the currently displayed selection, To copy a dictionary entry and to copy the list of search results. On a PC you can also copy a selected fragment of text to the clipboard using a keyboard shortcut. See To copy using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + C (for PC users) for details.

f.  When you feel confident using Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary, you can try some advanced searches. Advanced searches let you choose how you want to search the dictionary. For example, you can choose to search just for verbs, or just for phrasal verbs, or even just for phrasal verbs that contain the word 'up'. You can also choose to search for special types of words, such as informal words or words that are always plural.

For details of how to do this, see to do an advanced search. If you want to print your search results, see to print advanced search results, and to copy them see to copy advanced search results.

g.  To look up a word in dictionary

1)      Type the word in the search box on the toolbar.

2)      Click Find. All matching words are shown in the results panel.

Result Panel of Cald3

Text style	Meaning
Dark blue	Main entries and variants
Green	Phrasal verbs
Light blue	Phrases
Red	Idioms

The advantages and disadvantages in using electronic dictionary for ESL/EFL learners

1.      The advantages of electronic dictionary

According to Salam (2012:1) there are obvious importance of electronic dictionaries, namely :

a.  EDs (Electronic Dictionaries) facilitates studies, it is very relaxed for searches to use  instead of books, it can be used in different languages (such as : French, English, Arab), student will not have difficulties to search in a lot of books to fond the mean that they needs, we needn’t buy dictionaries books in all languages.

b.   The student or any user can easily find the word that he desire with option of spelling for example, or with different languages in seem dictionary.

c.   Economize the time: It helps to found A word quickly without being overwhelmed in pages upon pages of words.

d.   Download the dictionary very quickly: The user is not obliged to buy the dictionary because it is for free in some sites.

2.      The disadvantages of electronic dictionary

a.   It can make the user rely too much on the electronic dictionary; they never put their heart into learning new words and expressions.

b.  In some of electronic dictionaries the explanations are neither complete nor accurate, which are quite misleading.

 How to use CALD3 (Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary Third Edition)

1.   For getting start to open CALD3 please RIGHT CLICK+OPEN or DOUBLE CLICK the application.

2.   Type the word that we want to find 

            3. Click ENTER or click FIND on the application to find out the word that we want to.

4.  Analyze how to pronounce the word

A  The procedure of teaching pronunciation by using CALD3 (Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary Third Edition)

        The procedure of teaching pronunciation by using CALD3 can be described as follows :

1.      Prepare set of minimal pair list.

2.   Illustrate some pictures that related to the minimal pairs to rouse students  and by using CALD3 as a media teacher ask student to guess it.

3.      Analyze minimal pair of word in the presented list by using CALD3 (Cambridge Advanced Learner Dictionary Third Edition)

a.       Analyze phonemic symbols of word in the list of minimal pairs.

b.      Analyze the position of minimal pair as follows :

a)      Minimal pair (Initial: f and p)

b)      Minimal pair (medial: e and ei)

c)      Minimal pair (final: k and g) 

CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTIONS

Finally as an inference, we are not able to restrain a rapid progress of technology such as the great advance of electronic dictionaries. It can make bad and good impact especially for EFL/ESL learners   but above of all in that progress the important one is we need a change to be more better life. According  to Kisito (2007:1) “modern technology is invading in every aspect of our lives, new rules have to be made to accommodate these changes and also the advent of electronic dictionaries is one of such change that is taking place in our ESL/EFL learning”. Whatever we can see whether an electronic dictionary is not beneficial or harmful in itself, the key lies in the user (Salam,2012:1). Good or bad of electronic dictionaries were depends on the user to make it useful to be used. In this chance the writer delivered some suggestion in order to make the use of this study more better for the future, namely :

First, every teacher should be open to new ways of doing things are creative, interest in helping theirs students. English pronunciation is very important aspect in English language component. Every English language learners need to improve theirs pronunciation but it was not as easy as we think to acquire good pronunciation. Teacher should be creative to find an effective way to improve students’ pronunciation.

Second, the teacher must be selective to choose appropriate media and teaching method. In teaching English pronunciation it needs an effective way. It is not just effective but also it is interesting for the students.

Third, after the teacher found an effective media they should be   proficient in the use of productivity media. It means the teacher have to be mastery first for what are they being to use in order to lead theirs students for more better improvement in the goal of teaching process.

Lastly, in the use of CALD3 the teacher should be able to troubleshoot technology related to the problems that commonly crop up in the classroom. The teacher should manage well every media which are being to use in the classroom. Anything problem that may happen it must depend on how good teachers’ arrangement.

REFERENCES

Amirian, S., & Heshmatifar, Z. (2013). The impact of Using Electronic Dictionary on Vocabulary Learning and Retention of Iranian EFL learners: International Journal of Research Studies in Educational Technology. Proceedings of ASBBS (Vol. 2, pp. 35–44). Retrieved from http://www.consortiacademia.org/index.php/ijrset/article/view/384/192.pdf. 

Burns, A., & Claire, S. (2003). National Centre for English Language Teaching and Research: Clearly Speaking: Pronunciation in Action for Teachers. Sydney: Macquarie University.

Cohen, L., Morrison, K., & Manion, L. (2007). Research Method in Education (6th ed.). New York: RoutledgeFalmer.

Frazer, H. (2001). Teaching Pronunciation: A Handbook for Teachers and Trainers. Retrieved from http://www.eslmania.com/teacher/eslteacher_talk/ .pdf.

Gilbert, B. (2008). Teaching Pronunciation Using the Prosody Pyramid. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Hamann, C., & Schmitz, C., (2005). Phonetics and Phonology: Reader for First Year English Linguistics. Oldenburg: University of Oldenburg.

Gilakjani, A. (2012). The Significance of Pronunciation in English Language Teaching. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/elt.v5n4p96.pdf.

Kelly, G. (2000). How to Teach Pronunciation. United Kingdom: Bluestone Press.

Kisito. (2007). Electronic Dictionary in ESL/EFL Learning. Retrieved from  http://www.eslhq.com/forums/esl-articles/electronic-dictionaries-esl-efl-learning-5148/.

Marnalita, Anshari, S., & Erniwati. (2013). Using Audio Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary (Cald) To Improve English Pronunciation to the Second Year Students of SMP Negeri 3 Tinombo Selatan. Unpublished Thesis. FKIP Universitas Tadulako.

Salam. (2012). Electronic Dictionary. Retrieved http://cpgect.blogspot.com/.

TESOL. (2008). Tesol technology standard framework. Virginia USA: TESOL, inc

Weschler, R. (2000). An Experiment Using Electronic Dictionaries with EFL Students. Retrieved from.http://iteslj.org/Articles/Weschler-ElectroDict.html.