Introduction

Relevance of the Topic

Mastering the tools for learning the English language is essential, and among them, the dictionary emerges as a powerful weapon to decipher meanings, expand vocabulary, and enhance overall communication skills. The study of its use is at the heart of the English discipline, as it is a basic skill that permeates the learning of all other aspects of the language. Knowing how to consult and interpret the information provided in a dictionary is a skill that, when mastered, puts the student in command of their own learning. Moreover, the understanding and application of other resources, such as thesauruses and corpora, further enrich the learning process, broadening the understanding of words and expressions.

Contextualization

Within the curriculum, the use of dictionaries and other language learning resources is intrinsically linked to vocabulary acquisition, one of the main components of communicative competence in English. Within the lesson plan, this theme fits into the unit on lexical and discursive skills. Learning how to use a dictionary efficiently and strategically allows for increasing autonomy in discovering and assimilating new words, a fundamental requirement as texts and learning contexts become more complex. Additionally, the study of thesauruses and corpora aligns with the broader goal of promoting a deeper understanding of the richness and diversity of meanings that words and expressions can have in the language. Thus, this unit of study serves as a solid foundation for progression towards more advanced learning levels in the English program.

Theoretical Development

Components

• Dictionary: It is a valuable source for consultation, translation, and understanding of vocabulary. It should be seen as an instrument of meaning formation, assisting in various grammatical categories.
• Thesaurus: A tool that relates words with similar or related meanings, expanding the student's capacity for expression and understanding.
• Corpus/Corpora: Vast and structured collections of text, commonly stored in computers. They are used for linguistic analysis and verification of word and expression usage in different contexts.

Key Terms

• Entry Word: In a dictionary, it is the word that provides access to the information contained about it.
• Part of Speech (POS): A term that classifies a word according to its grammatical function, for example, noun, verb, adjective.
• Usage Note: Notes in dictionaries that offer additional guidance on the use of a word or expression, including regional or register divergences.

Examples and Cases

• Dictionary: When consulting the entry "run" in a dictionary, the student will see an extensive article containing definitions, usage examples, synonyms, antonyms, collocations, idiomatic expressions, and other details that aid in understanding the term.
• Thesaurus: When searching for the synonym of the word "big" in a thesaurus, the student may also find "large", "huge", "enormous", among others, expanding their expression options.
• Corpus/Corpora: When using a corpus, the student can check how a word is used in different contexts, for example, how "run" can mean "run" or "organize" depending on the context.

Detailed Summary

Relevant Points

• Vocabulary Consolidation: The use of the dictionary, thesaurus, and corpora plays a strategic role in vocabulary consolidation and enhancement of the student's lexical skills.
• Dictionary: Your Best Friend: The dictionary is a rich source of information, which goes beyond literal translation. It provides definitions, usage examples, idiomatic expressions, collocations, among others. It is necessary to learn to analyze and interpret this information.
• Thesaurus: Expanding Options: The thesaurus helps in expanding expression options, offering synonyms and words with related meanings.
• Corpora: Vocabulary Contextualization: The study of corpora aids in understanding the use of words and expressions in different contexts, allowing a broader view of vocabulary.

Conclusions

• Proper use of dictionary, thesaurus, and corpora is a vital skill for learning English. These tools provide valuable information and allow the student to exercise greater control over their own learning.
• The study of these resources goes beyond the simple search for meanings, offering the student the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the language, expand their vocabulary, and improve their comprehension and text production skills.

Suggested Exercises

1. Using a Dictionary: Choose 5 English words and consult an online dictionary. Note the main meaning of each word, as well as additional information provided by the dictionary (usage examples, synonyms, collocations, etc.).
2. Exploring a Thesaurus: Choose an English word and consult an online thesaurus. Note at least 3 synonyms for the chosen word and use each in a sentence.
3. Studying Corpora: Choose an idiomatic expression in English and research its use in different contexts. Note at least 3 examples of how the expression is used and try to explain the meaning with your own words.