Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Special Issue on Communication and Language in Virtual Spaces, January 2023   Pp.49-61
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/comm1.4

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Ukrainian EFL Learners’ Use and Views of Electronic Dictionaries: a Case Study in Higher
Education

Nataliia Zamkova
Department of Foreign Philology and Translation, Vinnytsia Institute of Trade and Economics of State
University of Trade and Economics, Vinnytsia, Ukraine

Nataliia Tymoshchuk
Department of Foreign Philology and Translation, Vinnytsia Institute of Trade and Economics of State
University of Trade and Economics, Vinnytsia, Ukraine
Corresponding Author: n.tymoshchuk@vtei.edu.ua

 Nataliia Havryliuk
Department of Foreign Philology and Translation, Vinnytsia Institute of Trade and Economics of State
University of Trade and Economics, Vinnytsia, Ukraine

 

Received:09/25/2022             Accepted:11/4/2022                       Published: 20/01/2023

 

Abstract:
Dictionary usage is one of the potential English as a foreign language learning strategy. The research paper investigates current tendencies in electronic dictionaries use for EFL learning at Ukrainian universities and the attitudes of Ukrainian students toward them. The scholars attempt to answer the following question: What are Ukrainian EFL learners’ use and views of electronic dictionaries? The current study aims to fill a gap in existing literature regarding Ukrainian EFL learners’ preferences and the use of different electronic dictionaries for language learning. The significance of this research lies in understanding the learners’ preferences and support of the electronic dictionaries will help to find effective teaching practices fostering student-centered approaches. We used a quantitative method to collect research data through online tools (Google forms). It was achieved due to analyzing responses to the survey-based questionnaire of 32 learners of Vinnytsia Institute of Trade and Economics of the State University of Trade and Economics, Ukraine. The findings suggest that students usually use various types of electronic dictionaries because they help them to develop four basic language skills. The participants preferred using electronic dictionaries as effective and motivating aids. We concluded that Ukrainian learners had a positive attitude toward electronic dictionaries implementation as they can improve both the teaching and learning process in educational institutions.
Keywords: case study, electronic dictionaries, English as a foreign language, higher education, Ukrainian EFL
learners, Ukrainian universities

Cite as:  Zamkova, N., Tymoshchuk, N., &  Havryliuk , N. (2023). Ukrainian EFL Learners’ Use and Views of Electronic Dictionaries: a Case Study in Higher Education.  Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Special Issue on Communication and Language in Virtual Spaces, January 2023.49-61. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/comm1.4

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Received: 09/25/2022  
Accepted: 11/4/2022 
Published: 20/01/2023
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9557-2607
https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/comm1.4

Nataliia Zamkova, Doctor of Science (Philosophy), Professor at the Department of Foreign Philology and Translation, VITE SUTE, Vinnytsia, Ukraine. Her research interests include problems of political science, philosophy, and philology, innovative technologies, and methods of teaching English. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9557-2607

 Nataliia Tymoshchuk, Ph.D. in Philology, Associate Professor at the Department of Foreign Philology and Translation, VITE SUTE, Vinnytsia, Ukraine. Her research interests include linguistics, e-learning, mind-mapping, flipped classrooms, innovative technologies, and methods of teaching English. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5638-5825

 Nataliia Havryliuk. Ph.D. in Pedagogy, Associate Professor at the Department of Foreign Philology and Translation, VITE SUTE, Vinnytsia, Ukraine. Her research interests include comparative pedagogy, flipped classrooms, innovative technologies and methods of teaching English, e-learning, and distance learning. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6031-7777