Experiments in Second-Language Learning

Experiments in Second-Language Learning focuses on the application of mathematical learning models in learning the Russian language as a second language. The book first discusses remarks on stimulus-response theories of language learning. Psychology and second-language instruction; psychological theory; linguistic theory and second-language learning; and remarks on theories of conditioning are discussed. The text also focuses on learning to discriminate Russian phonemes; learning the orthographic representations of Russian sounds; and vocabulary and morphology learning. Learning exercises are presented; these focused on inflection, semantics, and phonemic transcriptions. The book also looks at grammar learning as influenced by translations, vocabulary, and presentation order; training on negative instances or on isolated words; overview of Russian grammar experiments; and related research. Suggestions for future research are presented. The text is highly valuable for readers interested in studying how mathematical learning models can be used in learning one particular language as a second language. Content: Front Matter , Page iii Copyright , Page iv Preface , Pages v-vi Reference to Experiments , Page ix 1 - Some Remarks on Stimulus-Response Theories of Language Learning , Pages 1-25 2 - Learning to Discriminate Russian Phonemes , Pages 26-104 3 - Learning the Orthographic Representations of Russian Sounds , Pages 105-137 4 - Vocabulary Learning , Pages 138-197 5 - Morphology Learning , Pages 198-263 6 - Grammar Learning , Pages 264-310 7 - Suggestions for Future Research , Pages 311-317 Appendix A - Contrasts Tested in Experiment II , Page 318 Appendix B - Derivation of Theoretical Expressions for the Two-Element Model with n Trials before the Last Error , Pages 319-322 Appendix C - A Representative Item from Each List in Experiment V , Page 323 Appendix D - Details of Experiments VIII and IX , Pages 324-325 Appendix E - The 72 Russian-English Pairs Used in Session 1 of Experiment XI , Pages 326-327 Appendix F - Model for Concept Presentation Sequences , Pages 328-340 Appendix G - Details of Materials for Experiment XII , Pages 341-342 Appendix H - A Mediation Model , Pages 343-349 Appendix I - Russian Words Used in Experiment XV , Pages 350-351 References , Pages 352-366 AUTHOR INDEX , Pages 367-371 SUBJECT INDEX , Pages 372-374