Effects Of Multiple-choice Glosses On Incidental Vocabulary Learning In Reading

Incidental vocabulary learning is generally acknowledged as a crucial section inboth first and second language acquisition of vocabulary. Because of its low rate ofvocabulary acquisition, gloss was introduced in reading and has been proven to be anefficient way to enhance incidental vocabulary acquisition. However, there is noagreement that which glossing method is truly the best way to promote incidentalvocabulary learning through reading.The present study aims at exploring (1) whether or not multiple-choice glossesare significantly more effective in enhancing vocabulary gain through reading than L1single gloss;(2) whether or not multiple-choice glosses are significantly moreeffective in enhancing vocabulary retention through reading than L1single gloss;(3)which glossing language of multiple-choice glosses, whether first or second language,is more effective in enhancing vocabulary gain and vocabulary retention of incidentalvocabulary learning through reading.In order to find answers to these questions, three research instruments—immediate vocabulary test, delayed vocabulary test and a questionnaire—were usedamong the subjects, who were76freshmen of English majors at Qingdao Universityof Science and Technology. They were assigned to three groups to read the text underdifferent conditions: L1multiple-choice glosses, L2multiple-choice glosses, and L1single gloss. Unexpected immediate vocabulary test was undertaken by all subjects toexamine their vocabulary gain on the12target words immediately after they finishedtheir reading comprehension task (with different glossing methods) which requiredthem to summarize each paragraph in one or two sentences. The delayed vocabulary test was carried out a week later to explore all subjects’ vocabulary retention of thetarget words. And all subjects were required to fill out a questionnaire which wasaimed at finding out their preferences in the glossing methods and their willingnesstowards the better glossing method proved by the study.From the analysis of the collected data with SPSS19.0, the following conclusionswere drawn:(1) L1multiple-choice glosses were significantly more effective inenhancing vocabulary gain than L1single gloss while there was no significantdifference between L2multiple-choice glosses and L1single gloss;(2) L1multiple-choice glosses exerted significantly more effects in enhancing vocabulary retentionthrough reading than L1single gloss and L2multiple-choice glosses with the lattertwo having no significant difference;(3) L1multiple-choice glosses performedsignificantly better than L2multiple-choice glosses in both vocabulary gain andvocabulary retention of incidental learning through reading.The significances of the present study mainly are:(1) enriching the researches oneffects of multiple-choice glosses on incidental vocabulary learning through reading;(2) providing useful suggestions for vocabulary teaching and learning, and readingmaterial compiling.