Exploring online dictionaries and gender in English

AUTHOR: Alicia Melero 

Online dictionaries are easy ways to check the meaning and pronunciation of new words, example sentences, idioms, etc. There are general and specialized dictionaries. You are going to learn how to use different types of online dictionaries according to their function. Getting used to different dictionaries will provide you with enough resources to become independent learners throughout all your English language learning.

After having explored all the features different online dictionaries offer, you are going to continue working with “gender in English”. You are going to use different online dictionaries to complete some activities about “gender in English”.

1st TASK: Explore different dictionaries. In groups of five, you are going to explore different online dictionaries. Each member of the team is going to be responsible to explore one specific dictionary.

2nd TASK: Each member of the group is responsible for doing one activity related to gender in English. You use one online dictionary for the activities. You put together all your vocabulary and discuss your results with the members of your group. Finally, all the members of the group have to work cooperatively to create a dialogue about gender in English.

1st TASK: Explore different dictionaries. In groups of five, you are going to explore different online dictionaries. Each member of the team is going to be responsible to explore one specific dictionary:

-Wordreference

http://www.wordreference.com/

-Collins

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/

-Linguee

https://www.linguee.es/

-The free dictionary

https://www.thefreedictionary.com/

-Cambridge dictionary

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/

Then, each member has to identify the category of their dictionary:

-Is it monolingual?

-Is it bilingual?

-Is it bilingual and shows reliable translations?

-Can be used for idioms/phrases?

-Can specifically be used to check pronunciation?

After, explore and write down the features of each dictionary; for example:

1. Click to listen to the word
2. Definition
3. Example sentences
4. Formal or informal
5. Click to see synonyms
6. Frequency
7. Part of speech
8. Pronunciation
9. Click to see the plural form
10. Related expressions or phrases

Write down your conclusions and share them with your team.

2nd TASK: Each one of you decide which online dictionary is going to use to do the second part of the task. One member of the group is responsible for doing one activity related to gender in English, so you have to distribute the activities and the time to share your conclusions. You put together all your vocabulary and discuss your results with the members of the group. Trying to explain all the words you learnt in English, not using Spanish. Finally, all the members of your group have to work cooperatively to create a dialogue about gender in English (exercise 6)

The exercises to be completed are:

1. Categorize the words in the box as female, male or both.

Stepbrother       child      daughter             husband              sibling                   sister-in-law      son         spouse                widow                  widower             wife

2. Find the neutral form of these words.

1. Actor/actress                                                          
2. Air steward/stewardess
3. Chairman/woman
4. Headmaster/mistress
5. Housewife/husband
6. Fireman
7. Mankind
8. Policeman/woman
9. Postman/woman

3. What is a “homemaker”? Use a monolingual dictionary, use examples and photos but don’t translate the meaning into your mother tongue.

4. WORD BUILDING. Complete the word families.

5. Which words from exercise 4 are positive, neutral or negative?

6. In groups, create a dialogue between two friends/classmates to discuss gender in English. To do so, try to include as much vocabulary from this webquest as possible.

-Exploring all the feautures of an online dictionary in depth. 

-Use of English.

-Understanding of the vocabulary and knowing how to explain it.

-Communication and discussion skills with your group.

Discuss the features of online dictionaries and say, at least, three situations in which you can use them. 

As a class, we are going to correct all the vocabulary exercises.

Act out your dialogue about gender in front of the class.

Credits to: 

Howarth, P. (2014). Initiative Student's Book. 1. English edition. London: MacMillan education.

Only contact the teacher when needed, try to be an independent learner and an active group member!