Vocabulary learning through an online computerized flashcard site

Abstract

Recent research has shown that paired associate learning is an effective way to acquire second language vocabulary. However, much research in the field has measured small-scale vocabulary learning. This is due to the methods which learners used to conduct paired-associate learning: paper flash cards. This project sought to measure vocabulary growth over one academic year to determine what can be learned through an online flashcard website. Using three groups, one control and two two hour treatment groups, learners completed vocabulary size pretests at the beginning of the study and posttests after one year of weekly online flashcard site use. The gains were statistically significant, and suggest that weekly flashcard site use may increase vocabulary sizes as measured using the Vocabulary Size Test (Nation & Beglar, 2007).