Language-switching and retrieval-based learning: an unfavorable combination

Frontiers in Psychology

Psychology

Moritz Wußing¹  Henrik Saalbach¹  Hannah Sommer²  Roland H. Grabner² 

[1] Faculty of Education, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany;Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria;

关键词: language-switching costs;    retrieval-based learning;    encoding specificity;    language dependency;    subsequent learning;    bilingual learning;    mathematical learning;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1198117

 received in 2023-03-31, accepted in 2023-06-30,  发布年份 2023

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Language-switching costs arise when learners encode information in one language and subsequently recall that information in a different language. The assumed cognitive mechanism behind these costs is the principle of encoding specificity that implies language-dependent representations of information. The aim of our study was to test this mechanism and to gain insights into the impact of language-switching on subsequent learning. To this end, we used retrieval-based learning as a carrier-paradigm. In a 2×3-design, 117 participants learned mathematical concepts with a practice-test or a restudy opportunity (within-subjects factor). In addition, the sample was divided into three groups regarding language-switching (between-subjects factor): one group without switching, one switched for the final tests, and one switched between initial learning and subsequent learning. Results show the expected main effects: participants performed better for the items learned via retrieval-based learning (testing-effect) and worse in conditions with language-switching (language-switching-costs). Most importantly, we were able to find an interaction between learning condition and language-switching: retrieval-based learning suffers particularly from language-switching. Additionally, our results indicate that language switching before subsequent learning seems to be particularly detrimental. These results provide both validation for encoding specificity as mechanism underlying language-switching costs and new information on the impact of the time of language-switching that can be considered in educational designs such as “Content and Language Integrated Learning.”

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
Copyright © 2023 Wußing, Grabner, Sommer and Saalbach.