Computer-assisted-instruction : comparing discrete-trial-training and pair-test procedures in acquisition of foreign-language vocabulary

Abstract

Learning a foreign language refers to learning a non-native language that is not spoken widely in the community (Gass & Selinker, 2001). The behaviour analysis field has potential to contribute to the literature on foreign language learning and teaching (Petursdottir & Olivera, in press). The main purpose of the present study was to compare acquisition of foreign language tacts, and emergence of intraverbal relations, under two conditions: a discrete-trial procedure (DT) and a pair-test procedure. The experiment and the post-experimental questionnaire were administered through the software program SuperLab 6.0. Qualtrics was used to present the screening questions, consent document, and the follow-up test. Within-subjects pre-test-post-test design was used to evaluate the emergent of intraverbals, combined with single-subject multielement designed that was used to evaluate the effects on correct responses during training. The experiment was divided into five phases; an instruction phase, a comprehensive pre-test, acquisition phase, comprehensive post-test, and a post-experiment questionnaire. Results showed it differed between participants if they learned faster with the pair-test condition or the DT condition. The participants’ performance was similar with words from both conditions in post-test and follow up tests, except two participants only made progress in the pair-test condition in the acquisition phase and their performance was better in post-test and follow-up test according to that. More participants preferred the pair-test condition than the DT condition. Keywords: Computer-Assisted-Instruction, Discrete-trial-training, Pair-test, Foreign-language, Tact, Intraverbal.