Dictionaries in German and Spanish primary education curricula: A comparative study

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a comparative curriculum-based study conducted to analyse the way dictionaries and the development of lexicographical skills are addressed in primary education in Germany and Spain. To carry out the study, the curricula of two language subjects taught throughout the country were selected, namely First Language (German and Spanish, respectively) and First Foreign Language (English). Within the methodology framework for documentary analysis, several thematic categories will be identified inductively from explicit references located in the selected curricula that will serve as tertium comparationis. The main objective is to find out whether the curriculum regulations consider dictionaries and the development of specific skills for using them in this first stage of education as part of the process of training literacy in the first language and foreign language teaching-learning context.