Useful Tools: Dictionaries

My adventure searching new ICT material continues!

Today I'm going to speak about the best tool a CLIL teacher can have: The Dictionary.

I've tested some of the most important online dictionaries emphasizing their good and bad points.
The main purpose of that review is helping you to choose one, among all of them, depending on which features fit better with your objectives.

I've looked up the word "source" and these are my results:

Oxford Dictionary

Definition in English: Yes

Translation: No

Example Sentences: Yes

Synonyms: Yes

Related Words: No

Compound Forms: No

On-line Pronunciation: Yes

Origin: Yes

Rhymes: No

Forum Discussion: No

It works in the same way as an old-fashioned dictionary but on-line. Nowadays, we have better choices if we are looking for additional features. 

★★★ (of 5).

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Definition in English: Yes

Translation: Yes
Example Sentences: Yes
Synonyms: Yes
Related Words: Yes
Compound Forms: No
On-line Pronunciation: Yes
Origin: Yes
Rhymes: Yes
Forum Discussion: No

It is a perfect example of what we ask for an on-line dictionary. Well structured, a lot of information included and a lot of more surfing through the links.

★★★★★ (of 5).

WordReference Dictionary

Definition in English: No
Translation: Yes
Example Sentences: Yes
Synonyms: No
Related Words: Yes
Compound Forms: No
On-line Pronunciation: Yes
Origin: No
Rhymes: No
Forum Discussion: Yes

The absence of definitions make us think about it as a translator instead of a dictionary. Easy, direct and complete translator, probably the best you can find. In addition, you have a particular section called "forum Discussion" where almost everything is asked and answered by the community.

★★★★ (of 5).

And the bonus review is for:

M-W Learner's Dictionary

To add the word push plus button

Definition in English: Yes
Translation: No
Example Sentences: Yes
Synonyms: No
Related Words: No
Compound Forms: No
On-line Pronunciation: Yes
Origin: No
Rhymes: No
Forum Discussion: No

This dictionary is specially created for students. Clear definitions and examples. A very good learning tool due to its additional sections. We can add the words we have looked up in order to create our own dictionary. Having fun while learning some words in the "Vocabulary Quiz". Daily interesting words to complete our personal dictionary in "word of the day". And Finally, "Ask the Editor", some feedback with our english doubts.

★★★★★ (of 5).