Learning the meaning of a verb is challenging because learners need to resolve two types of ambiguity: (1) word-referent mapping--finding the correct referent event of a verb, and (2) word-meaning mapping--inferring the correct meaning of the verb from the referent event (e.g., whether the meaning of an action word is TURNING or TWISTING). The…

Previous research has demonstrated that formulaic sequences (FSs), including such types as collocations, idioms, or phrasal verbs, are ubiquitous and play an important role in second/foreign language (L2) proficiency. However, FSs can pose significant challenges for L2 learners, especially those in contexts where there is limited exposure to L2…

While formal, digital-technology-based professional development for higher education faculty has been extensively studied, informal and incidental learning (IIL) within this area remain underexplored. Integrating the Broaden-and-Build Theory with the Informal and Incidental Learning framework, this study examines how positive emotions influence…

There is considerable lab-based evidence for successful incidental learning, in which a learner's attention is directed away from the to-be-learned stimulus and towards another stimulus. In this study, we extend incidental learning research into the language learning classroom. Three groups of adult second language (L2) learners (N = 52) engaged…

Purpose: Cross-situational statistical learning is one mechanism by which typically developing toddlers map words to referents. Yet, this type of statistical learning has been found less efficient in children with developmental language disorder (DLD). The purpose of this article is to evaluate cross-situational statistical learning in very young…

In recent years, studies have investigated "Subtitles as a Support" (SaS) and "Subtitling as a Task" (SaT) as two distinct approaches to audiovisual input, which have the potential to foster learners' vocabulary. In line with the Involvement Load Hypothesis (ILH) (Laufer & Hulstijn, Applied Linguistics 22(1):1-26, 2001),…

Purpose: Children with neurodevelopmental disorders historically exhibit lower and more variable nonverbal intelligence (NVIQ) scores compared to their typically developing peers. We hypothesize that the intrinsic characteristics of the tests themselves, particularly the cognitive constructs they assess, may account for both the lower scores and…

Second language (L2) viewing with captions (i.e., L2 on-screen text) is now a proliferating as well as promising area of L2 acquisition research. The goal of the present meta-analysis was to examine (a) the relationship between captioned viewing and incidental vocabulary learning and (b) what variables related to learners, treatment, methodology,…

Vocabulary is an important foundation for reading skills. Dual-route cascaded model believes that when form-sound correspondence is irregular, phonetic decoding is a necessary but not sufficient condition for word acquisition. Lexical access in syllabic scripts involves a morphological-phonetic-semantic approach, where phonological decoding is…

In order to explore the cognitive mechanisms and processing involved in incidental vocabulary acquisition, this study examines whether two crucial cognitive factors, attention and working memory, influence incidental vocabulary acquisition during second language reading. Employing a combined online-offline approach, attention, working memory, and…

With only about a third of students in US public schools achieving the NAEP Proficient level, many educators believe students are not getting enough reading practice. However, how much reading practice is enough? This study quantifies the relationship between the amount of book reading and the expected number of words learned. We collected 45…

Currently, in Ireland, there is a high rate of attrition among newly qualified student nurses. This paper specifically seeks to provide insights into this issue through an exploration of the experiences and perceptions of clinical placement from a sample of student nurses and preceptors in Ireland through the conceptual lenses of both incidental…

Second language (L2) grammar learning is difficult. Two frameworks--the psycholinguistic lexical bottleneck hypothesis and the neurocognitive declarative/procedural model--predict that faster L2 lexical processing should facilitate L2 incidental grammar learning. We tested these predictions in a pretest-posttest syntactic adaptation study of…

Games play a very important role in promoting incidental learning and help in exploring both the conscious and subconscious processes such as insight of a learner. Digital Game-Based Learning and assessments are now an integral part of educational practices. When designed effectively digital games can take the learners from the stage of…

Manding is an important skill for children to learn to access not only preferred items but also information that can be crucial to their success in academic, professional, or social settings. There is a need to continue research to best teach mands for information. The current study examined the effectiveness of using incidental teaching to teach…