Hasil untuk "Language acquisition"

Lei Wang, Chengbang Ma, Xueyang Feng et al.

Autonomous agents have long been a research focus in academic and industry communities. Previous research often focuses on training agents with limited knowledge within isolated environments, which diverges significantly from human learning processes, and makes the agents hard to achieve human-like decisions. Recently, through the acquisition of vast amounts of Web knowledge, large language models (LLMs) have shown potential in human-level intelligence, leading to a surge in research on LLM-based autonomous agents. In this paper, we present a comprehensive survey of these studies, delivering a systematic review of LLM-based autonomous agents from a holistic perspective. We first discuss the construction of LLM-based autonomous agents, proposing a unified framework that encompasses much of previous work. Then, we present a overview of the diverse applications of LLM-based autonomous agents in social science, natural science, and engineering. Finally, we delve into the evaluation strategies commonly used for LLM-based autonomous agents. Based on the previous studies, we also present several challenges and future directions in this field.

P. Kuhl

W. C. Ritchie, T. Bhatia

W.C. Ritchie and T.K. Bhatia, Second Language Acquisition: Introduction, Foundations, and Overview. Research and Theoretical Issues in Second Language Acquisition: K.R. Gregg, The Logical and Developmental Problems of Second Language Acquisition. Issues of Maturation and Modularity in Second Language Acquisition: L. White, Universal Grammar and Second Language Acquisition: Current Trends and New Directions. S. Flynn, A Parameter-Setting Approach to Second Language Acquisition. J. Schachter, Maturation and the Issue of Universal Grammar in Second Language Acquisition. F.R. Eckman, A Functional-Typological Approach to Second Language Acquisition Theory. B. McLaughlin and R. Heredia, Information-Processing Approaches to Research on Second Language Acquisition and Use. D. Preston, Variationist Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition. Second Language Speech and the Influence of the First Language: J. Leather and A. James, Second Language Speech. S. Gass, Second Language Acquisition and Linguistic Theory: The Role of Language Transfer. Research Methodology and Applications: D. Nunan, Issues in Second Language Acquisition Research: Examining Substance and Procedure. A. Sorace, The Use of Acceptability Judgments in Second Language Acquisition Research. Modality and the Linguistic Environment in Second Language Acquisition: M.H. Long, The Role of the Linguistic Environment in Second Language Acquisition. G.P. Berent, The Acquisition of English Syntax by Deaf Learners. The Neuropsychology of Second Language Acquisition and Use: L.K. Obler and S. Hannigan, Neurolinguistics of Second Language Acquisition and Use. Language Contact and its Consequences: R.W. Anderson and Y. Shirai, The Primacy of Aspect in First and Second Language Acquisition: The Pidgin-Creole Connection. S. Romaine, Bilingualism. H.W. Seliger, Primary Language Attrition in the Context of Bilingualism. T.K. Bhatia and W.C. Ritchie, Bilingual Language Mixing, Universal Grammar, and Second Language Acquisition. Glossary. Author Index. Subject Index.

Jacqueline S. Johnson, E. Newport

Jean–Marc Dewaele, Xinjie Chen, A. Padilla et al.

The present contribution offers an overview of a new area of research in the field of foreign language acquisition, which was triggered by the introduction of Positive Psychology (PP) (MacIntyre and Gregersen, 2012). For many years, a cognitive perspective had dominated research in applied linguistics. Around the turn of the millennium researchers became increasingly interested in the role of emotions in foreign language learning and teaching, beyond established concepts like foreign language anxiety and constructs like motivation and attitudes toward the foreign language. As a result, a more nuanced understanding of the role of positive and negative learner and teacher emotions emerged, underpinned by solid empirical research using a wide range of epistemological and methodological approaches. PP interventions have been carried out in schools and universities to strengthen learners and teachers’ experiences of flow, hope, courage, well-being, optimism, creativity, happiness, grit, resilience, strengths, and laughter with the aim of enhancing learners’ linguistic progress. This paper distinguishes the early period in the field that started with MacIntyre and Gregersen (2012), like a snowdrop after winter, and that was followed by a number of early studies in relatively peripheral journals. We argue that 2016 is the starting point of the current period, characterized by gradual recognition in applied linguistics, growing popularity of PP, and an exponential increase in publications in more mainstream journals. This second period could be compared to a luxuriant English garden in full bloom.

Michael H. Long

Mohammed Alfadil

Abstract This study explored the influence of the virtual reality (VR) game House of Languages on the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) vocabulary acquisition of intermediate school students. A quasi-experimental design helped determine the impact of the VR intervention on the learning process over the traditional EFL vocabulary acquisition method. A nonrandom convenience sample of (n = 64) male students was divided into an experimental group and control group; each group contained (n = 32) students. The findings from this study of independent t-tests at the end of the experimental period indicated that students using the VR game House of Languages had greater achievement in vocabulary acquisition than those using the traditional method of vocabulary acquisition. This study seeks to create awareness among educators that the use of the new VR technology as an effective vocabulary acquisition method in the learning process could be engaged to improve vocabulary acquisition and go beyond previous methods to enhance the degree of achievement in classroom.

Lynn Adam, Machteld Vandecandelaere

BackgroundHow individuals conceive knowledge and knowing plays a crucial role in psychology education. While often examined at the domain level, the Theory of Integrated Domains in Epistemology (TIDE) suggests that epistemic beliefs may also vary at the level of specific topics.MethodsWe investigated whether epistemic beliefs of psychology students differ depending on the topic under consideration and tested the hypothesis that beliefs would cluster by subdisciplinary proximity (i.e., clinical vs. cognitive topics). Using the Epistemic Thinking Assessment (ETA), we implemented three scenarios addressing depression, schizophrenia, and language acquisition. A counterbalanced repeated-measures design was used with 480 first-year psychology students. Multilevel modeling was applied to distinguish topic effects from sequence effects.ResultsResults indicated significant variation in epistemic beliefs across topics, leading to the rejection of the subdisciplinary hypothesis. Students scored significantly higher on absolutism and lower on evaluativism when reasoning about schizophrenia compared to depression and language acquisition. Thus, the two clinical topics did not elicit similar profiles.ConclusionFindings confirm that epistemic beliefs are topic-specific within psychology and are driven by topic characteristics (e.g., perceived biological certainty) rather than disciplinary labels. These results highlight the need for granular, topic-specific approaches in epistemological assessments and critical thinking instruction.

S. Loewen, Masatoshi Sato

Blanca Palomero-Sierra, Blanca Palomero-Sierra, Blanca Palomero-Sierra et al.

This study investigates early development and language acquisition in moderate-to-late preterm (MLPT) infants, focusing on social communication as a key factor. Using a longitudinal design, social communicative, cognitive and language outcomes were assessed at 12, 18, and 24 months in 106 infants, including 49 MLPT and 57 full-term (FT) infants. Standardized tools, including the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley-III), the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (Vineland-3), and the Social Attention and Communication Surveillance-Revised (SACS-R), were used to assess early developmental performance. Group differences and the interaction between group and assessment time points were analyzed to examine developmental patterns over time. Additionally, predictive models identified early indicators of receptive and expressive language performance at 24 months. The results revealed significant developmental delays in the MLPT group compared to their FT peers, with receptive language showing the most pronounced deficits. Early social communication behaviors, such as pointing, following a point, and attending to sounds at 12 months, emerged as strong predictors of both receptive and expressive language performance. Cognitive abilities also played a significant role, particularly in receptive language development. These findings underscore the utility of tools like the SACS-R in identifying early communication challenges and guiding tailored support strategies. Sustained developmental monitoring and targeted interventions that foster communication skills may promote positive language outcomes in MLPT infants, supporting their long-term developmental potential within this population with increased developmental needs.

Joko Slamet

Kees de Bot’s “A History of Applied Linguistics: From 1980 to the Present”, published by Routledge in 2015, is a seminal work that meticulously traces the trajectory of applied linguistics over the past few decades. The book spans 11 chapters over approximately 168 pages, offering a detailed exploration of Applied Linguistics (AL). De Bot begins by analyzing the diverse informants who have shaped AL, considering factors like gender, race, educational backgrounds, and affiliations. He critically examines AL’s definitions, its autonomy, and its relationships with fields like TESOL and AILA. Profiles of influential leaders highlight their contributions, while a thorough review covers seminal articles and books, emphasizing publishers’ roles in research dissemination. The book explores theoretical and methodological trends, including corpus linguistics, discourse analysis, and new areas like neurolinguistics and technology in language learning. De Bot discusses psycholinguistic and sociolinguistic dimensions such as language acquisition, identity, multilingualism, and language policy. His exploration of Complex Dynamic Systems Theory (CDST) applies it to understanding language dynamics and individual differences. A citation analysis section examines publication impact and academic influence dynamics. Ultimately, De Bot reflects on AL’s broad impact on language education, from theoretical insights to practical applications.

Llompart Miquel, Fernández Santos Sara, Dąbrowska Ewa

This study investigates the relative roles of frequency and transparency in native speakers’ comprehension of Spanish object relative sentences by comparing performance with two variants of the construction that differ in these properties. Experiment 1 suggests that seven- to eight-year-old children’s processing of object relative sentences is consistently facilitated by variant frequency and likely relies on separate representations for each variant as two different, although related constructions. Experiment 2 turns to adult comprehension of the two variants, showing similar accuracy and reaction time patterns for both variants for this population. This second outcome could be interpreted as a decrease in frequency effects over time, in line with the power law of practice, as an experience-based increase in the ability to make use of redundant markers, or both.

S. Gass

S. Loewen, Masatoshi Sato

Interaction is an indispensable component in second language acquisition (SLA). This review surveys the instructed SLA research, both classroom and laboratory-based, that has been conducted primarily within the interactionist approach, beginning with the core constructs of interaction, namely input, negotiation for meaning, and output. The review continues with an overview of specific areas of interaction research. The first investigates interlocutor characteristics, including (a) first language (L1) status, (b) peer interaction, (c) participation structure, (d) second language (L2) proficiency, and (e) individual differences. The second topic is task characteristics, such as task conditions (e.g. information distribution, task goals), task complexity (i.e. simple or complex), and task participation structure (i.e. whole class, small groups or dyads). Next, the review considers various linguistic features that have been researched in relation to interaction and L2 learning. The review then continues with interactional contexts, focusing especially on research into computer-mediated interaction. The review ends with a consideration of methodological issues in interaction research, such as the merits of classroom and lab-based studies, and the various methods for measuring the noticing of linguistic forms during interaction. In sum, research has found interaction to be effective in promoting L2 development; however, there are numerous factors that impact its efficacy.

Roumyana Slabakova

Yingsheng Liu, Pui-sze Yeung

Abstract Speaking constitutes one of the main goals of learning a second language (L2). Despite the increasing attention on the role of planning and language transfer in L2 learning, the combined effect of using different languages and pre-task planning on language production remains unclear. This study investigated whether the use of different languages in planning affects speaking performance and whether the effect differs by language proficiency. A total of 84 students in Chinese universities learning English as a foreign language participated in several speaking tasks after planning using their first language (L1) Chinese or L2 English. Findings showed that using L1 in planning results in significantly higher syntactic complexity, accuracy, and fluency in speaking performance than using L2 in planning, while the difference in lexical diversity were not statistically significant. Further analysis shows that for speech accuracy, the facilitative effect of L1 was stronger among low-proficient than high-proficient learners. Findings from this study support the use of L2 learners’ entire linguistic repertoire in speaking activities and provides implications on speech production theories as well as translanguaging pedagogies.

Philip Oghenesuowho Ekiugbo , Cecilia Amaoge Eme

This study examines how codas of Urhobo-English loanwords are adapted and shows that the strategies adopted in repairing loanword coda in Urhobo are driven by syllabification constraints and universal conventions. Syllabification conditions in languages that forbid filled coda will require that all the consonant sounds in a phonological word that are to be found in the phonetic string are parsed as onsets. Assuming this is true, it has implications for loanword adaptation. Urhobo exclusively permits the open syllable type. Implicitly, all the coda elements of loanwords are likely to be licensed as onsets, which may result in a possible ‘illicit’ onset cluster given the onset condition requirement of the language. Accordingly, this study examines the attested patterns of adaptation of English coda in Urhobo loanwords and their motivations as well as implications. The discussion is built around the theory of constraints and repair strategies.

Vasiliki Koukoulioti, Stavroula Stavrakaki, Maria Vomva et al.

The acquisition of clitics still remains a highly controversial issue in Greek acquisition literature despite the bulk of studies performed. Object clitics have been shown to be early acquired by monolingual children in terms of production rates, whereas only highly proficient bilingual children achieve target-like performance. Crucially, errors in gender marking are persistent for monolingual and bilingual children even when adult-like production rates are achieved. This study aims to readdress the acquisition of clitics in an innovative way, by entering the variable of gender in an experimental design targeting to assess production and processing by bilingual and monolingual children. Moreover, we examined the role of language proficiency (in terms of general verbal intelligence and syntactic production abilities). The groups had comparable performance in both tasks (in terms of correct responses and error distribution in production and reaction times in comprehension). However, verbal intelligence had an effect on the performance of the monolingual but not of the bilingual group in the production task, and bilingual children were overall slower in the comprehension task. Syntactic production abilities did not have any effect. We argue that gender marking affects clitic processing, and we discuss the implications of our findings for bilingual acquisition.

Eloi Puig-Mayenco, Jorge González Alonso, J. Rothman

The present systematic review examines what factors determine when, how and to what extent previous linguistic experience (from the first language, second language or both languages) affects the initial stages and beyond of adult third language (L3) acquisition. In doing so, we address what a bird’s eye view of the data tells us regarding competing theoretical accounts of L3 morphosyntactic transfer. Data couple together to suggest that some factors are more influential than others. As discussed, the systematic review transcends the field of adult multilingualism precisely because of what it reveals, as a prima facie example in behavioral research, in terms of how different types of methodological considerations impact the way data are interpreted to support or not particular claims.