Children in their final year at primary school are being given dictionaries.

The Isle of Man Rotary Clubs, working with the Department for Education and Children, is offering dictionaries to all Year 6 pupils at island primary schools for the next three years.

Bout 900 dictionaries are being distributed this year to the 32 primary schools.

The Usborne Illustrated UK Standard edition Dictionary 4 Life comprises 1,000 illustrations, 10,000 entries and 20,000 definitions printed in full colour on leaflet grade paper from a sustainable forest and contains 288 pages.

It has a user’s guide, parts of speech, writing English hints, English Today and a history of our language and recommended web sites.

D4L dictionaries have been distributed by more than 500 Rotary clubs throughout RIBI and many overseas countries including, Jamaica, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Zambia, Australia, Namibia, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, India, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Canada.

Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Douglas President, Kevin Kneen, said he was extremely proud that all island clubs have come together to collaborate with the Department for Education and Children and been able to expand the number of pupils due to receive the D4L dictionaries, and hopes that the benefits will be seen for years to come.

Graham Cregeen MHK, Minister for Education and Children, said: ’Whether writing an essay or listening to the news, if children have a good grasp of words, they will be confident communicators, a skill that will stand them in good stead all their life.

’Dictionaries not only explain what words mean and assist with spelling. They also help children understand where words have evolved from and how the language has developed, fostering their curiosity in the world.

’I know children will cherish these beautiful books as they continue their learning journey to secondary school and beyond.’