输入与输出的频率效应研究

A study on the effects of input frequency and output frequency

频率在二语习得理论中占有不可或缺的地位,但是国内相关研究相当缺乏。本研究旨在揭示输入频率和输出频率对中国大学生口头故事复述的影响。研究对象为16名英语专业二年级女生,随机分成4组,接受不同的输入和输出频率,即每组重复听和复述同一故事若干遍。研究结果显示,输入频率对故事复述内容的影响显著,流利性和复杂性也有相应提高,但是准确性没有任何进步。相反,输出频率对故事复述的内容无明显帮助,而流利性和准确性有不同程度提高,但是复杂性没有显著进步,尤其是词汇复杂性。口语整体表达能力经过三次频率作用的影响达到发展的最高值。

Frequency, an important notion in theories of language acquisition, is extensively applied in the language classroom. However, little research has been conducted on this topic in China. This article reports a study that explored the effects of input and output frequency on the oral story retelling done by tertiary,level English majors in China. Sixteen subjects listened to a short story and retold it with the number of times for listening and retelling varied. It was found that as input frequency increased, the number of idea units of the story retelling increased. Input frequency also helped improve fluency and complexity to some extent, but it did not affect accuracy. By contrast, as output frequency increased, the number of idea units remained unchanged. Further, output frequency helped improve fluency and accuracy and did not affect complexity much. Under the influence of input and output frequency, the overall oral performance achieved optimal development at the third trial of the task. The results of the study support a view of frequency as a significant variable affecting language learning. Balanced development of oral performance can be achieved through high,frequency practice.