Customer Reviews

Oxford Picture Dictionary English-Spanish: Bilingual Dictionary for Spanish speaking teenage and adult students of English

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

What makes this dictionary so great is that it is not in alphabetical order and it is based on themes. For example, there is a classroom theme on a page and all of the words that have to do with what is in a classroom. Also, I like the fact that their are numbers next to the object and then all of the words in Spanish and English are at the bottom half of the page. This allows you to cover up all of the words and quiz yourself.

This is an excellent book for anyone wanting to build their vocabulary.

I teach an adult ESL class and have discovered that this book is a resource I really cannot do without! In combination with the teacher's manual, it has become a valuable resource for teaching new vocabulary to my students. When I first started using it in my lessons, the students skimmed through it and were very impressed with the variety of pictures arranged by themes. After using it at home, they have ALL told me that it is a wonderful book and are so thankful they have it!

I use with a multi-level class and everyone likes it. Pictures and definitions can spark discussions. Divided into sections which are color-coded by topic. Very full resource for the price.

This well-structured and nicely illustrated English/Spanish dictionary is a good resource which could easily have been made excellent. Where it comes up short is the lack of bilingual coverage for many entries.

Though the product description does flag the fact that the dictionary's purpose is to "meet the needs of today's English language learners," the layout of the dictionary gives the impression that it is for English speakers learning Spanish as the initial entries are given in English. However, many examples -- most notably the practice exercises -- are given in English only. This could prove frustrating for those wanting learn or expand their Spanish with it or vice versa.

I am buying 3 more copies of this book for fellow teachers in my building.

I find the book easy to use, up-to-date, and a handy reference on any spanish word.

The picture are real life situations from computer usage, to apartment rentals, to a visit to the beauty shop..all in pictures and the Spanish work for everying associated with the picture.

An invaluable guide for the classroom or any one who want the Spanish word for an every day item or life experience.

I'm trying to get the district to order them for all the teachers in my school as well as all schools in the district.

I'm sold.

I purchased this book for a new Mexican friend, who recently moved to the U.S. for two years and speaks practically no English, while I know a smattering of Spanish. We've found it to be invaluable in helping us communicate. When it's obvious that she isn't understanding me, I can turn to the appropriate page--the kitchen, for example--and point to the picture, and she can do the same. Then we work on her pronunciation of the English word. I will probably purchase another one for myself to help me strengthen my Spanish skills. I would also consider the other language titles to correspond with those my sons are studying in school. The format is user-friendly, the color illustrations are happy, and the categories of words are vast and extremely practical--especially helpful to someone struggling to get by in a new country. My friend showed the book to her ESL teacher and was very proud when the instructor recommended the book to the rest of the class!

I'm an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher and use these dictionaries in class. My students inevitably want to buy their own copies and are delighted to find that they are available in bilingual editions for many languages.

The categorical organization of the dictionaries and the inclusion of many everyday items makes them very valuable for those students who are living in the U.S. (and presumably other Western English-speaking countries). My only criticism would be that they don't include any computer-related terms; this could be addressed in a new edition.

Speaking of which, I haven't switched to the so-called "New Oxford Picture Dictionary" because it has far fewer vocabulary items.

Despite the bilingual editions, I don't consider these books to be as useful for English speakers trying to learn a foreign language as for English learners living in the U.S., because the content and categories reflect shopping, homes, services, clothes, and so forth as they are experienced in the U.S. and similar countries.

Another potential area of disappointment is that the OPD should not be one's only English dictionary, since, being pictorial, it is suited to nouns but not to verbs or concepts. As a noun dictionary, it's excellent.

I have not used the extensive additional teaching materials that are available for these dictionaries.

I work in a restaurant staffed with mostly spanish-speaking workers so I bought this book to assist in communication. The organization of terms and the comprehensive nature of the book make it invaluable. My Mexican co-workers want copies for themselves!

This book is an excellent resource for an ESL class or for someone learning Spanish. The entries are accompanied by pictures and organized in a logical way for reference. Like most Spanish Dictionaries, this is more geared towards Spain, but good for Latin American Spanish too. We live in Mexico and are learning Spanish. We refer to it often. It's fun to just browse through as well. Excellent investment.

Trying to learn even the basic rudiments of a new language requires much memorization and practice. Good visual aids are a must unless you are especially gifted in languages (or grew up abroad). This dictionary is a great aid to learning important everyday vocabulary. The organization by themes (food, health, clothing, work, everyday language in different settings) make it easy to use if staying in a Spanish speaking country for a while. I am currently enrolled in a beginning college level class and use it for review and new words. The visuals are easier for me to remember than straight flash cards, although I use both.