This study examines EFL teachers and students in Thai universities’ perspectives on digital dictionary use, particularly in the context of technological advancements and the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey of 74 teachers and 900 students revealed significant differences in their dictionary preferences. While teachers preferred comprehensive online learners’ dictionaries for their accuracy and depth, students gravitated towards bilingual tools like Google Translate (GT) for their speed and convenience. The pandemic accelerated the shift to digital resources, with both groups increasingly relying on online tools for remote learning. Despite widespread technological readiness, teachers expressed concerns over the accuracy and educational value of quick-access tools such as GT, especially for complex tasks. The findings underscore the need for formal dictionary training that balances students’ preference for convenience with the necessity of deep language engagement. This study highlights how cultural and contextual factors have shaped dictionary use in the Thai EFL context, with implications for integrating more effective dictionary use strategies into EFL curricula. These insights contribute to a better understanding of how both teachers and students can navigate the evolving digital learning landscape in post-pandemic education.

中文翻译：

---

了解泰国 EFL 教师和学生对后疫情时代数字词典使用的看法


本研究考察了泰国大学的 EFL 教师和学生对数字词典使用的看法，特别是在技术进步和 COVID-19 大流行的背景下。一项对 74 名教师和 900 名学生的调查显示，他们的字典偏好存在显着差异。虽然教师更喜欢全面的在线学习者词典，因为它们的准确性和深度，但学生们更喜欢谷歌翻译 （GT） 等双语工具，因为它们的速度和便利性。新冠疫情加速了向数字资源的转变，这两个群体都越来越依赖在线工具进行远程学习。尽管技术已经做好了广泛的准备，但教师们对 GT 等快速访问工具的准确性和教育价值表示担忧，尤其是对于复杂的任务。研究结果强调了正式词典培训的必要性，以平衡学生对便利的偏好与深度语言参与的必要性。本研究强调了文化和背景因素如何影响泰国 EFL 背景下的词典使用，以及将更有效的词典使用策略整合到 EFL 课程中的意义。这些见解有助于更好地了解教师和学生如何在大流行后教育中驾驭不断发展的数字学习环境。