The Using Dictionary Behavior in Learning Chinese among the Students of Bachelor Degree of Arts Program in Chinese, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Thaksin University

Abstract

The purpose of this survey research was to survey behaviors, factors, problems and obstacles in using the dictionary among 4^th Year students in Bachelor Degree of Arts, majoring in Chinese, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of Thaksin University. The research aimed to survey dictionary use behaviors, factors affecting dictionary use behaviors, problems and obstacles in dictionary use of students by collecting information about the dictionary types.  Data were collected from a questionnaire regarding types of dictionary used among students, information sought from dictionaries, factors affecting dictionary use behaviors, problems and obstacles from dictionary use. The results of the research can be summarized as follows. 1) Types of dictionary – students mostly used online dictionary or mobile application, followed by electronic dictionary and choose to use the least dictionary book. 2) Search data from the dictionary: The students used the dictionary to support reading skills and retrieving the meaning of words from the dictionary the most. 3) It was found that the word meaning for self-development was the supporting factor that most affected the students' dictionary use behavior. 4) Problems and obstacles in the use of dictionaries, which are divided into 3 issues: (a) problems from dictionary books, namely, the biggest problem of portability, (b) the big issues with electronic dictionaries / online dictionaries or mobile applications came from incomplete descriptions and lack of students' skills on dictionary usage. (c) Lastly, the most common problem is that the words which the students are looking for have more than one meaning, causing them unable to choose the right one.