Is the relation between phonological memory and foreign language learning accounted for by vocabulary acquisition?

1995 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabet Service ◽  
Viljo Kohonen
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Phonological Memory ◽  
Language Performance ◽  
Essay Writing ◽  
Fixed Order

ABSTRACTIn an earlier study, Service (1992) found that phonological short-term memory, reflected in the ability to repeat English-sounding pseudowords, was a good predictor of learning English as a foreign language over a period of three school years. This study attempts to find out to what extent foreign vocabulary learning is the critical learning process related to pseudoword repetition accuracy. Regression analyses on repetition data and learning measures revealed significant correlations between pseudoword repetition and foreign language learning, even after a measure of general academic achievement had been partialed out. In a fixed-order multiple regression analysis – with predictors entered in the order of general academic achievement, foreign language vocabulary, and pseudoword repetition – no additional variance in any foreign language measure studied could be accounted for by pseudoword repetition in the third step. When vocabulary in the second step was replaced by performance in foreign language essay writing or the correct reproduction of dictated discourse – both highly related to overall foreign language performance – repetition significantly increased the proportion of accounted variance, especially for two foreign language vocabulary tasks and a listening comprehension task. Phonological memory may, therefore, be specifically related to foreign vocabulary learning.

scholarly journals The effectiveness of computers on vocabulary learning among preschool children: a semiotic approach

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 02 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tutku Basöz ◽  
Dilek Tüfekci Can
Keyword(s):  
Preschool Children ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Vocabulary Instruction ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Instruction Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Semiotic Approach

Semiotics in foreign language learning has recently achieved some prominence as a theoretical foundation for language teaching and learning. Although there have been a number of research on the semiotics in foreign language learning, the practical use of semiotics in preschool classroom environment still remains unanswered. What is more, the effectiveness of computers on vocabulary learning among preschool children is still an obscure area, which attracts the attentions of researchers, scholars and practitioners. Thus, the present study aims to investigate whether there is a significant difference in preschool children’s vocabulary gain depending upon the computer assisted vocabulary instruction or the traditional vocabulary instruction both adopting a semiotic approach. The sample group of the study included 35 preschool children (5-years) who are studying at Balıkesir University Necatibey Faculty of Education Kindergarten. In this quasi-experimental study, the children were assigned to computer assisted vocabulary instruction group (16) or traditional vocabulary instruction group (19), which were the experimental and control groups. Before the experiment, the children were given a pre-test, which measured the number of target vocabulary the children had already known. While the experimental group learned the target vocabulary through computer-assisted instruction, the control group was taught the same target vocabulary via traditional vocabulary instruction. After the experiment, the same test was given to the children as the post-test. The results of the study showed that both instruction types were successful in teaching vocabulary and there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of their vocabulary gain. Keywords: Vocabulary learning; semiotic approach; computer assisted vocabulary instruction; preschool children; foreign language learning 

scholarly journals A Comparison Between Teacher-Led and Online Text-to-Speech Dictation for Students’ Vocabulary Performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 77
Author(s):  
Hui-Hua Chiang
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Text To Speech ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Significant Difference

Researchers have long supported the use of dictation as a test for language learners (Fountain & Nation, 2000), and dictation has been used as a test for learners of English as a foreign language (EFL). With the advantages of productive learning and reinforcing short-term memory, dictation is a commonly used technique to develop language skills, and it can be considered to be an assessment of foreign language learning (Kazazoğlu, 2013). However, the previous research has not fully explored how technology, such as text-to-speech (TTS), can be used in EFL classrooms. To address this issue, the researcher explored the use of traditional teacher-led dictation (TLD) and TTS dictation to compare the vocabulary performance of EFL learners. Forty-two college students participated in the study. The results indicated a significant difference between TTS and TLD on the participants’ vocabulary performance. Additionally, there was a correlation between the scores with TTS and TLD: the students who performed better with TLD also obtained higher grades with TTS. Based on the results, future studies and pedagogical suggestions are presented.

scholarly journals THE TEACHING OF VOCABULARY: A PERSPECTIVE

Jurnal KATA ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 182
Author(s):  
Alpino Susanto
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Teaching English ◽  
Personal View ◽  
Related Research ◽  
New Words

<p>The learning of Vocabulary is important part in foreign language learning. The meanings of new words are very frequently emphasized, whether in books or in verbal communication. Vocabulary is considered as the central in language teaching and is of paramount importance to a language learner. Vocabulary is a basic of one learns a foreign language. Few  research indicate that teaching vocabulary can be considered as problematic, as some teachers are not really sure about the best practice in the teaching and sometimes not really aware how to start forming an instructional emphasis on the vocabulary learning (Berne&amp; Blachowicz, 2008). Through this article, the writer summarizes the related research that focus on the importance of vocabulary and explaining many techniques used by some English teachers and lecturer when teaching English, as well as writer’s personal view of the issues.</p>

How and how much?

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-121
Author(s):  
Chiara Romagnoli ◽  
Sergio Conti
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Proficiency Level ◽  
Vocabulary Learning Strategies ◽  
Chinese Learners ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Vocabulary plays a crucial role in foreign language learning, and vocabulary mastery proves to be challenging at different competence levels. Compared to other areas of research into Chinese as a foreign language, vocabulary acquisition and vocabulary teaching have rarely been investigated. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between vocabulary learning strategies and vocabulary size and to verify whether vocabulary size is positively correlated to proficiency level. A total of 95 Italian undergraduate Chinese learners, from elementary to intermediate levels, participated in this study. The participants were first given a vocabulary learning questionnaire and then a vocabulary size test. Statistical and qualitative analyses of the data revealed two trends: a poor variety of vocabulary learning strategies and a positive correlation between vocabulary size and proficiency level.

scholarly journals Application of Multimedia Technology in Vocabulary Learning for Engineering Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (01) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Shi
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Multimedia Technology ◽  
Individualized Learning ◽  
Teaching Language ◽  
Assisted Instruction

The study of vocabulary is essential in learning a second language. The traditional way of foreign language learning only allows students to learn what the teacher chooses to teach. Knowledge is force-fed by the teacher to the students, but this way cannot meet the needs of the students and society. The development of multimedia technology meets the demands for new ways of teaching language. The purpose of this study is to test whether it is effective to use computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in individualized learning and whether multimedia CAI techniques can improve vocabulary learning and memory. According to analysis of the experimental data, CAI-supported vocabulary learning is more effective than traditional methods. The results show that, through CAI, knowledge can be learned faster and retained longer in the students’ memory.

How Best to Use Audio/Subtitle Combinations in the Use of Films for Nonnative Learners of English

2021 ◽  
pp. 45-61
Author(s):  
Buğra Zengin
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Education Policies ◽  
Tv Shows ◽  
Informal Settings

Use of movies and TV shows for foreign language learning purposes pervades informal settings where viewers enjoy the multiplicity of soundtracks and of subtitles. However, this is not an integral part of formal language education policies. Hoping to inform policy making processes, this study aimed to investigate the most efficient use of audio/subtitle combinations for specific purposes. As a result, reversed subtitling was found to be effective for vocabulary learning whereas, generally, bimodal subtitling was considered to benefit accent-related problems. The participants self-reported preferrence for non-subtitled version in case of listening comprehension in general, which was due to the subtitle effect in the case of students at lower levels. Considering that mostly interlingual subtitled content is the only version in most platforms, these findings make it necessary to prefer a platform presenting a variety of alternative combinations in terms of soundtrack and subtitles.

scholarly journals Vocabulary Learning Strategies of Saudi English Major Students: Strategy Use and Gender

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3.25) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Jamilah Al-Harbi ◽  
Engku Haliza Engku Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Strategy Use ◽  
Social Strategy ◽  
Vocabulary Learning Strategies ◽  
English Major

One of the major challenges that learners face during the process of foreign language learning is acquiring vocabulary. Thus, students need to employ various vocabulary learning strategies to acquire the vocabulary of a foreign language. The present study attempts to identify the vocabulary learning strategies employed by Saudi English major students. This study also aims to examine if there are differences between male and female students in the pattern and frequency of strategy use. Sixty-five first-year English major students of Majmaah University participated in the study. Their vocabulary learning strategies were measured using the Vocabulary Learning Strategy Survey. The results showed that students preferred cognitively less demanding strategies compared to the ones that required deeper cognitive processing. The most frequently used strategies were “I try to remember the word by repeating it for several times,” “I try to guess the meaning of the word from text/context” and “I learn new words when I interact with native speakers.” In general, social strategy is the most used strategy while memory strategy is the least used. The findings also showed that males preferred social strategy compared to females who preferred cognitive strategy and that two strategies (cognitive and memory strategies) showed significant differences between the two genders.  

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