A Case Study of Online and Paper Bilingual Dictionaries and their Impact on Vocabulary Learning through Meaning-Focused Reading

Abstract This case study investigates the impact of different bilingual dictionaries on L2 vocabulary learning through meaning-focused reading among 369 intermediate English learners. Three dictionaries were selected that reflect the specific practices of the foreign language classrooms under study: PONS Online Dictionary, Langenscheidt Paper Dictionary and Le Robert & Collins Paper Dictionary. Participants read three short texts, translated 15 comprehension-relevant target words, and answered comprehension questions under one of three search conditions: online dictionary (n = 126), paper dictionary (n = 123) or on-screen glossary (n = 120). Meaning recall was assessed immediately and two weeks later. Logistic mixed-effects models revealed significant effects of the consultation method on retention, with the PONS Online Dictionary yielding the highest results. These findings highlight the potential of the PONS Online Dictionary as an effective tool for incidental L2 vocabulary learning. Future studies should examine whether these results hold with other dictionaries and different learning contexts.