There are 2 ways to approach the dictionary.
1. is the game. Where you photoread it and think of a word and try to guess where the word is.
There are 2 things to remember with this
a. It's a game.
b. It often stops working when you put to much stress into it... it's a game
2. The dictionary is a tool that helps you improve your learning of language (including your own). For this you simply photoread the dictionary, (or translation dictionary) a few times. daily for a week or a month or even longer if you want. Activation is not required, You will at some points notice something is easier, whether you think of words easier, write easier, spell easier or even just understand easier.
In both cases the dictionary is not really the best tool for developing your activation skill because activation as such is not required.
If you want to develop activation skills do the 5 day test that is in the photoreading book.
On noticing small changes. It interesting that in conversations that I've had someone tell me that they photoread a book with the intent of improving their writing skills. They weren't sure of the benefits. So I asked, "are you having more difficulty writing?" They replied "No, I guess I am expressing myself better in my writing... but my writing skills haven't improved."
I had to ask, "how can you be expressing yourself better if your writing skills have *not* improved?"
Some of the changes are so subtle we don't really notice then as as shown above we often discount them because they appeared in our lives without a lot of conscious effort and hard work. The irony is that such a small thing as expressing yourself better in writing can make as much difference as between getting a C or an A. Many people earn C's even though they know their stuff, they just couldn't express themselves in writing.
So if it seems like photoreading isn't working... go easy on yourself it could just be that you're just not noticing the real changes that have taken place because they became a natural part of you and fit like an old shoe.
Alex
[This message has been edited by AlexK (edited October 10, 2003).]