Collins Cobuild Student’s Dictionary on CD‐ROM (version 4.0 on CD, version 3.1 on box) is a multilingual/monolingual dictionary designed for learners of English from the intermediate level upward. It contains more than 40,000 definitions, over 30,000 examples, over 76,000 sound sequences, and 50 hours of speech. Users can search by entry, grammatical form, or phrase; can create a user’s vocabulary for revision; can drag any definition into the mailbox/user’s vocabulary to access the RE‐WISE method; can hear words spoken in their various forms and examples of use; and can record their own voice to practise and listen. Among the many features of the product are: complete definitions of words; spoken pronunciation of words; forms of the word; grammatical information; phrases; examples; and cross‐references.
The opening screen offers three options:
1dictionary;
2RE‐WISE method; and
3system (other options).
The RE‐WISE method of learning was developed to enhance vocabulary skills through dialog with the interactive Dr Lang. Three book tabs allow the user to:
1access a question and answer evaluation cycle for the learning and revision of words;
2access the vocabulary, which contains all the words that one can practice and to select which words to learn; and
3use the trash can, which contains all the words which the student has decided to exclude from revision.
The product includes a 27‐page user’s guide, which contains an overview of the product, instructions for installation, trouble‐shooting, using the RE‐WISE Method, using the dictionary, and how to use other LANGMaster CD products in conjunction with this one (there are other Collins Cobuild products that work along with the Collins Cobuild Student’s Dictionary). This product is only available in a Windows version.
I found the documentation on this product very thorough and well written. The main menu was easy to use; and the RE‐WISE system allows users to learn English at their own pace and in their own way. The Collins Cobuild series, when used together, are an integrated learning system for ESL students; and this dictionary portion of the series assists users in understanding and grasping word, sentence, and phrase definitions in English.
