ERIC Number: EJ1209801
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0957-1736
EISSN: N/A
Pinyin or No Pinyin: Does Access to Word Pronunciation Matter in the Assessment of Chinese Learners' Vocabulary Knowledge?
Zhang, Dongbo; Lin, Chin-Hsi; Zhang, Yining; Choi, Yunjeong
Language Learning Journal, v47 n3 p344-353 2019
This study examined the impact of providing access to word pronunciation on the assessment of L2 Chinese learners' vocabulary knowledge. Chinese heritage learners (HLs) and foreign language learners (FLs) studying in American universities undertook a computer-based test in which they had first to select a picture that represented the meaning of a target word presented in characters only, and then answer the same item presented in both characters and pinyin (i.e. the alphabetic system to facilitate the pronunciation of characters). The provision of pinyin substantially increased the test reliability for both groups of learners but the differences between the no-pinyin and pinyin conditions were less marked for FLs than HLs. In the no-pinyin condition, the groups showed no significant score difference, whereas in the pinyin condition, HLs significantly outperformed FLs. The proportion of HLs who successfully corrected their original choices following provision of pinyin was also notably higher. These findings suggest that provision of pinyin impacted the two groups differentially. Implications for vocabulary knowledge assessment for different types of Chinese learners are discussed.
Descriptors: Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Vocabulary Development, Scores, Pronunciation, Heritage Education, Orthographic Symbols, Chinese, Native Language Instruction, Chinese Americans, Language Tests, Computer Assisted Testing, Undergraduate Students, English (Second Language), Language Dominance, English, Student Attitudes
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A