{"title":"Computer-Assisted Synonymous Phrase Learning","authors":"Mei-Hua Chen","doi":"10.4018/IJCALLT.2019040101","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"It is not uncommon to see lists of semantically equivalent phrases in pedagogical materials. However, empirical investigations of the effect of synonymous phrase learning on vocabulary development are rarely attempted. The current study promotes computer-assisted synonymous phrase learning by introducing PREFER, a corpus-based paraphrasing system. The organized information including synonymous phrases, Chinese translations, usage patterns, and example sentences would help EFL learners develop vocabulary knowledge in terms of form, meaning, and use. The performances of 49 EFL first-year college students were evaluated using a 15-set multi-select test. The results showed that students consulting PREFER made greater progress than those consulting existing online tools. The improvements of the less proficient students were especially significant, which was to be expected. More importantly, the analyses of learners' errors indicated that their learning difficulties primarily resulted from the lack of attention to word form and the function words (i.e., word form and use) while learning vocabulary.","PeriodicalId":43610,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Computer-Assisted Language Learning and Teaching","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.7000,"publicationDate":"2019-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"3","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Computer-Assisted Language Learning and Teaching","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.4018/IJCALLT.2019040101","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"EDUCATION & EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 3
Abstract
It is not uncommon to see lists of semantically equivalent phrases in pedagogical materials. However, empirical investigations of the effect of synonymous phrase learning on vocabulary development are rarely attempted. The current study promotes computer-assisted synonymous phrase learning by introducing PREFER, a corpus-based paraphrasing system. The organized information including synonymous phrases, Chinese translations, usage patterns, and example sentences would help EFL learners develop vocabulary knowledge in terms of form, meaning, and use. The performances of 49 EFL first-year college students were evaluated using a 15-set multi-select test. The results showed that students consulting PREFER made greater progress than those consulting existing online tools. The improvements of the less proficient students were especially significant, which was to be expected. More importantly, the analyses of learners' errors indicated that their learning difficulties primarily resulted from the lack of attention to word form and the function words (i.e., word form and use) while learning vocabulary.
期刊介绍:
The mission of the International Journal of Computer-Assisted Language Learning and Teaching (IJCALLT) is to publish research, theory, and conceptually-based papers that address the use and impact of and innovations in education technologies in advancing foreign/second language learning and teaching. This journal expands on the principles, theories, designs, discussion, and implementations of computer-assisted language learning. In addition to original research papers and submissions on theory and concept development and systematic reports of practice, this journal welcomes theory-based CALL-related book and software/application reviews.