Doctoral Dissertation Research: Testing the Three-Stage Model of Second Language Skill Acquisition

学习第二语言是一个令人印象深刻的壮举，可以承担社会，专业和文化利益。这个研究项目考察了第二语言学习者在试图掌握第二语言时所经历的阶段的数量。当代最有影响力的理论认为，第二语言技能的习得是一个三阶段的过程：（i）从最初的缓慢应用知识，（ii）通过最初的行为变化，（iii）最终流利和自动的行为。目前，有间接证据支持这三个阶段的存在，但没有通过有针对性的研究来仔细检查阶段的数量和性质。通过重新确定语言学习者经历了哪些阶段，以及有多少个阶段，这项研究可以为现代语言教学和评估提供信息，并使更多的第二语言学习者达到高语言水平。为了研究第二语言习得的各个阶段，参与者将学习和练习理解和产生一种语言的微型版本，直到他们达到高速度和准确性（“自动性”）。一半的参与者在练习之前会接受关于语言词汇和语法的明确指导，而另一半则不会接受事先指导，而是被动地接触语言的词汇和句子。这些条件反映了美国自然语言学习的两大背景，即教师主导的课堂学习和自然主义的语言学习。参与者从理解和生产实践中获得的数据将使用隐马尔可夫模型进行分析，隐马尔可夫模型是一种新颖的认知建模方法，将用于测试三阶段获取模型是否比其他模型（例如，两阶段模型）更好地解释数据。一旦通过计算确定了技能获得阶段的数量，回归分析将调查三组认知能力-陈述性记忆，程序性记忆和心理能力-中的哪一组预测每个技能获得阶段的学习。这项研究的结果将直接服务于各种各样的第二语言学习者（a）通过揭示是否和如何指导和自然主义的学习者获得自动性和（B）通过确定什么认知特征使一个成功的学习者。这个奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并已被认为是值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估的支持。

Learning a second language is an impressive feat that can bear societal, professional, and cultural benefits. This research project examines the number of stages that second language learners go through as they attempt to master a second language. The most influential contemporary theory holds that second language skill acquisition is a three-stage process: (i) from initial slow application of knowledge, (ii) through initial changes in behavior, (iii) to eventual fluent and automatic behavior. At present, there is indirect evidence that supports the existence of these three stages, yet the number and the nature of the stages have not been examined closely through targeted research. By newly establishing what stages language learners go through, and how many, this research can inform modern language teaching and assessment and empower more second language learners to reach high language proficiency. To investigate the stages of second language acquisition, participants will learn and practice comprehending and producing a miniature version of a language until they reach high speed and accuracy ('automaticity'). Half the participants will receive explicit instruction about the vocabulary and grammar of the language before they engage in practice, whereas the other half will not receive prior instruction but will be passively exposed to vocabulary items and sentences of the language. These conditions mirror two broad contexts for natural language learning in the U.S., namely, teacher-led classroom learning and naturalistic language learning, respectively. Participants' data from comprehension and production practice will be analyzed using hidden Markov modeling, a novel method of cognitive modeling that will be used to test whether the three-stage acquisition model accounts for the data better than other models (for example, a two-stage model) do. Once the number of skill acquisition stages has been determined computationally, a regression analysis will investigate which of three sets of cognitive abilities - declarative memory, procedural memory, and psychomotor ability - predicts learning at each skill acquisition stage. Results of this study will directly serve a wide variety of second language learners (a) by revealing whether and how instructed and naturalistic learners attain automaticity and (b) by identifying what cognitive characteristics make one a successful learner.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.