Building on the results of a small-scale survey which investigated the general use of dictionaries by university English majors in Hong Kong using a questionnaire survey and their specific use of dictionaries using an error correction task, this article discusses the tactics these students employed and the problems they encountered when using a dictionary. A total of 106 respondents participated in the questionnaire survey, and twenty-five volunteered to also participate in the error-correction workshops. A think-aloud approach was adopted in the workshops, whereby the students recorded their process of locating a target word, searching for the appropriate usage, and determining on the correct usage. Results show that though many students regularly consulted one or more dictionaries in their learning of English as a second language, their dictionary skills were often not adequate enough for them to cope with their learning demand. It is recommended that in order to promote learner autonomy, teachers should raise students' awareness of the usefulness of a dictionary and help them develop dictionary skills. Organizers of teacher training programs should also consider including the training of dictionary skills as one of the chief components in their programs so as to equip student teachers with the required knowledge of dictionary training.