| Studies have shown that learners can learn new words through reading or listening.With the development of technology,especially the development of multimedia and the internet,audiovisual input has figured high in L2 vocabulary learning.However,vocabulary learning while watching TV programs can be challenging due to online processing demands.Recent research has demonstrated that subtitles in L1 or L2 can foster vocabulary learning.Some studies have attested the beneficial role of L1 subtitles and L2 subtitles,whereas a few explore the differential effect of L1 subtitles and L2 subtitles on the learning of different aspects of lexical knowledge,especially the learning of collocational knowledge.This study intends to explore the effect of L1 subtitles and L2 subtitles on the learning of collocational knowledge by English–as–a–foreign language(EFL)learners in China.To achieve the purpose,the following two research questions would be answered: 1)Does viewing a subtitled video lead to the learning of collocational knowledge? 2)How do different modes of subtitles(L1 subtitles,L2 subtitles,no subtitles)influence EFL students’ learning of collocational knowledge? To answer the research questions,an experiment was conducted.Instruments in this study included a vocabulary size test,a video with different modes of subtitles,a form recall test,a form recognition test,a meaning recall test,and a meaning recognition test.The vocabulary size test was employed to measure participants’ overall vocabulary knowledge.The video with L1 or L2 subtitles served as the treatments of the experiment.Form recall test,form recognition test,meaning recall test,and meaning recognition test were to measure learners’ gains of collocational knowledge.As for participants in the study,one hundred and seven first–year college students from the same university in China were chosen.They were from three intact classes.Three classes were randomly assigned to the experimental groups and the control groups.Three groups watched the same video with different modes of subtitles: L1 S group watched the video with L1 subtitles,L2 S group with L2 subtitles,and NS group with no subtitles.The entire experiment lasted for four weeks.In the first week,the vocabulary size test was conducted to measure participants’ vocabulary size.Immediately after the treatment,participants took four tests: form recall of collocations,form recognition of collocations,meaning recall of collocations,and meaning recognition of collocations.Two weeks after the treatment,participants took the form recall test with items randomized.Through experimental data analysis,both L1 subtitles and L2 subtitles had a positive effect on the learning of collocational knowledge.L2 subtitles have the potential to increase form learning.However,learners who watched the video with L1 subtitles didn’t outperform the L2 subtitles groups on the tests investigating the meaning of target collocations. |
