Although researchers argue that studying semantically related words simultaneously (semantic clustering) inhibits vocabulary acquisition, recent studies have yielded inconsistent results. This study examined the effects of semantic clustering while addressing the limitations of previous studies (e.g., confounding of semantic relatedness with other…

Investigates whether conceptualizable agents in the discourse play a role in English second language overpassivization errors. Hypothesizes that learners are more likely to make overpassivization errors in externally caused events than in internally caused events. Subjects were Chinese learners of English. (Author/VWL)

Discusses three experiments conducted to examine the effects of three types of elaboration--marked paraphrase, unmarked paraphrase, and unnecessary detail--on the listening comprehension of nonnative speakers. Findings indicate that the quality of elaboration has implications for listening comprehension in both the classroom and the workplace. (36…

Presents evidence of a study of speakers of English as a Second Language that cross-language transfer effects interact with developmental effects in the construction of second language (L2) syllable structures. Argues that the optimality theory provides a more explicit account than the minimal sonority distance parameter setting model regarding…