Choosing which words to teach is a key consideration for language teachers and materials writers. Some studies have shown that teaching words in semantically related clusters can make learning more difficult. However, others argue it is the physical similarity of the referents of words that causes confusion. Importantly, studies have employed…

This study investigates the effectiveness of Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT)-based instruction in enhancing vocabulary acquisition and learner interest among Chinese university students learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Using a quasi-experimental design, 73 undergraduates were divided into an experimental group (n = 37) receiving…

There has been little research investigating the effects of notetaking on foreign language (FL) learning, and no studies have examined how it affects vocabulary learning. The present study investigated the vocabulary written in notes of 86 students after they had listened to a teacher in an English as a foreign language (EFL) class. The results…

Second language acquisition (SLA) researchers have long searched for patterning in the development of linguistic elements (e.g., grammar and morphology). However, little attention has been given to the examination of systematicity in vocabulary acquisition, limiting our understanding about how overall vocabulary is learnt. The current study…

The research aimed at identifying approaches for building a bilingual individual through written an academic text, using five text types for achieving this goal. The analysis of text types used in this study were glossed, bilingual, dictionary assisted text, authentic, task-based text that reveals valuable insights into their effectiveness and…

Virtual reality (VR) presents an innovative and powerful approach to foreign language teaching, offering immersive and interactive environments that support vocabulary acquisition in engaging and meaningful ways. This study investigates the potential of VR using the self-developed application GermanVR, specifically designed to enhance vocabulary…

This study investigates the development and implementation of a big data-driven English ecological classroom teaching model, aiming to reform university English instruction in alignment with contemporary technological advancements. The conventional teaching framework, often limited to textbooks and in-class activities, has been shown to…

This exploratory, mixed methods study proposes that pedagogical translation be implemented for biliteracy acquisition in mixed heritage language (HL)-second language (L2) secondary Spanish classrooms. It investigates the mediation of pedagogical translation for reading comprehension in two mixed HL-L2 secondary Spanish classrooms at a suburban…

Knowledge of derivational affixes makes an important contribution to second language learners' success when reading. Yet while the effects of some learner variables (L2 proficiency, L1 background) have been investigated, there has been little research addressing the effects of varying characteristics of affixes on their acquisition. The goal of…

The use of digital tools for second and foreign language lexical learning is increasingly popular and research in this area is constantly expanding. However, little has been written about specific criteria that could be used to identify tools with high-quality lexical input, as available checklists and frameworks for digital media tend to neglect…

Vocabulary is crucial for mastering English as a Foreign Language (EFL) skills. Digital Game-Based Learning (DGBL) platforms like Wordwall can enhance active learning by providing multiple-choice, missing, and matching words. The current study aimed to addresses the impact of the Wordwall platform on EFL learners in Saudi Arabia. This study…

We investigated whether learning and retaining vocabulary in a second language (L2) can be improved by leveraging a combination of memory enhancement techniques. Specifically, we tested whether combining retrieval practice, spacing, and related manipulations in a 'multidomain' pedagogical approach enhances vocabulary acquisition as compared to a…

Although teachers have access to a great deal of scholarship on teaching academic vocabulary (AV), much less is known about the experiences and perceptions of English language learners regarding AV. To address this gap, we used an online metaphor elicitation survey and follow-up interviews to collect data from 432 undergraduates at a Hong Kong…

This longitudinal mixed-method study investigated effects of the reading-while-listening mode on the incidental learning of two dimensions of vocabulary knowledge, namely receptive knowledge and productive knowledge, in a Chinese EFL classroom context. Additionally, EFL learners' attitudes toward the reading-while-listening mode of incidental…

Given their easy accessibility and dual-channel model of content presentation, instructional videos have become a favoured tool for EFL vocabulary learning tool among many students. Teachers often use various nonverbal behaviours to elicit social reactions and guide learners' attention in instructional videos. The current study conducted three…