What is in each layer?

The Learn These Words First dictionary is arranged in layers to eliminate circular definitions and make the dictionary accessible for beginning-level ESL students:

 

• Lessons 1 and 2 use captioned illustrations to explain essential words (NSM universal linguistic concepts). Translations are given in multiple languages.
• Lessons 3 through 12 build the vocabulary one word at a time. Each word is explained in English, using only words that have already been introduced. Lessons include example sentences and questions to help review new vocabulary.
• The alphabetical index lists the 2000 words in the Longman Defining Vocabulary. Each of these words is defined using only the 360 words from the lessons.
• Using the 2000 words from the layers above, students can read any definition in the Longman English Dictionary Online.

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The problem of circular definitions

Here is an example of a circular definition. The word easy is used to define difficult, and the word difficult is used to define easy:

• difficult = Not easy.
• easy = Not difficult.

Here is another example. If you do not already know any of these words (illness, sick, sickness), you will not get a helpful explanation of what they mean from these circular definitions:

• illness = Sickness of body or mind.
• sick = Suffering from an illness.
• sickness = The condition of being sick.

Most dictionaries contain thousands of circular definitions like these, especially for the most basic words. This may not be a problem for someone who already has a large vocabulary, but circular definitions are frustrating for beginning-level learners.

The Learn These Words First dictionary is structured in a new way to eliminate circular definitions. The 360 words in the lessons are arranged in an order that allows each new word to be explained using only words that were explained earlier in the lessons. The rest of the words in the dictionary are defined using only the 360 words from the lessons. A computer program was used to check that the lessons and definitions contain no circular definitions.

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British spelling and American spelling

For some words, the British spelling is different from the American spelling.

The Learn These Words First dictionary uses British spellings, but headwords are listed with both spellings: first the British spelling, followed by the American spelling in parentheses.

Here are some examples of headwords where the British and American spellings differ:

• colour, (color).
• centre, (center).
• metre, (meter).

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