The effects of training on automatization of word recognition in English as a foreign language

• Autores: Nobuhiko Akamatsu
• Localización: Applied psycholinguistics, ISSN 0142-7164, Vol. 29, Nº 2, 2008, págs. 175-193
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The present study investigated the effects of word-recognition training on the word-recognition processing of learners of English as a foreign language (EFL). Providing 7-week word-recognition training, the study examined whether such training improves EFL learners' word-recognition performance. The main aspects of this study concerned word frequency and working-memory capacity in automatization of word recognition. Analysis of variance and correlational analyses revealed qualitative differences in the improvement of EFL word-recognition performance with respect to word frequency. The improvement in the processing of high-frequency words was associated with simple speedup; conversely, the processing of low-frequency words was associated with automatization. Results also showed that working-memory capacity might not play a noticeable role in improving word-recognition speed or efficiency.