The Effect of The Use of Online Dictionary on Reading Accuracy: Case of Grade 10 English First Additional Language Learners at Dendron Secondary School

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of using online dictionaries to improve grade 10 learners’ reading skills at a rural public junior secondary school in Bochum East circuit in Capricorn North District, Limpopo province, South Africa. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and data was analysed thematically The diverse data collection tools used in this study include interviews, reading and experiment as the researcher was testing if online dictionary could help learners to overcome their reading problems. Results of the study revealed that the usage of online dictionaries improved learners’ pronunciation as well as their vocabulary usage abilities. Results also revealed that participants are willing to use online dictionaries in vocabulary learning because it helps them with pronunciation as well as how to use the word in a sentence. The most frequent perceived benefits of online dictionaries are the speed of accessing the meaning of new vocabulary and getting clear correct pronunciation of them.