Why do some teachers prefer their students not to use dictionary too much?

[jupiter]

Hi everybody,

Why do some teachers prefer their students not to use dictionary too much?

I've got this question from my book, Landmark (upper-intermediate).
I have no good idea for this question, so I need all of you to have a say!

Thanks in advance
Jupiter

[denith]

I believe that the teachers want their students to try to define words without using dictionary and help them boost the knowledge of critical thinking, word-root identification and quick-response technique.

[-Loren-]

Well, according to my observation using too much dictionary will not help but desperately discomfort. It is like forcing oneself to remember or to dig up the words to trample their brain.

[denith]

I agree... using too much dictionary leaving them no option to practice. So, most of the time they will rely on dictionary... and without it, they'll lose confidence.

[rachada]

Yeah like that...
waste time to check and we got a short memory to remember the new words as well

[Santa]

Hi Jupi and all,

From my point of view, I think that the reason is because of teachers want students to use their brain remembering as much as words possible. I mean if students use too much in checking dictionary, some students may not concentrate on what they have learned, but they think that they may check in dictionary whenever they want, so this will probably become their habit.

Just my idea!

Santa

[-Loren-]

I use dictionary very seldom. 

[jupiter]

Hi eveybody,

Thanks for sharing your practical ideas here.

I've got another question!
If you don't know the meaning of a particular word, and there's nothing to do with prefix or suffix. Will you look it up in a dictionary or you just guess its meaning ramdomly?

Again thanks in advance 

Jupiter

[denith]

For some certain words... I will look up in dictionary. But, can't say, its really depends.

[rachada]

without prefix or suffix i can't  need help from my dictionary.

[Keo Somala]

Why do some teachers prefer their students not to use dictionary too much?

I have spent a lot of years learning English with a lot of teachers, some of who told me to delay looking up unknown words in a dictionary until I can guess them.

Personally, I think it quite depends on what I'm reading. If I'm reading a novel which as everybody knows, is full of unknown vocabulary, it's clear that I can't check out every new word. Guessing through context is important here. Anyway, if I'm reading a news article that just contains some new words, I don't feel bothered just to bring a dictionary nearby and use it. 

Be careful with this one. Sometimes, if you don't use a dictionary to clear some doubt, they can cause you confusion in the next paragraph or something. Still it depends.

Santa wrote:

From my point of view, I think that the reason is because of teachers want students to use their brain remembering as much as words possible. I mean if student use too much in checking dictionary, some students may not concentrate on what they have learned, but they think that they may check in dictionary whenever they want, so this will probably become their habit.

I also agree with Santa. In some cases like when students learn to take an IETLS, it's not good to be so dependent on the dictionary. 

Jupiter wrote:

If you don't know the meaning of a particular word, and there's nothing to do with prefix or suffix. Will you look it up in a dictionary or you just guess its meaning ramdomly?

Ahh...I have a sixth sense.  Well, at first I prefer to guess it and if it works in the whole sentence; the meaning is clear in my ears, then I don't feel hesitant to move on. However, on condition that it looks like a very new word, then why not? 

Only ideas. 

[Kimlong]

Oh I'm very bit late, ain't I Jui?

To this business, adding on all you guys mentioning above, I think some teachers are good at lexical remembering and using, remember our teacher Prudence Injeely Jupi, they would sooner students to ask him/her directly than to check dictionary, which it leads to spend much time!!!

 

[denith]

Mala De Nila? Isn't it sixth sense about seeing ghost?

[___Tola___]

Buddhism belief that there are 7 sense of human being!

[Zacky]

My teacher always does it too. i think it's the best way to learn English by context. u know what ,someday when u go on holiday or forgein country , u won't always wear a dictionary , therefore u have guess the meaning of the word u don't know. That's way u surely increase u comprehention .