Editor: Viv Edwards (University of Reading, UK)
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Volume: 18 Number: 2 Page: 167–182
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Level of Cognitive Processing: Effects on Character Learning Among Non-Native Learners of Chinese as a Foreign Language
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Helen H. Shen
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This study investigates how different encoding strategies affect retention of Chinese characters (words) as measured by recall of the sound and meaning of the characters. Three types of encoding strategies
were investigated during character learning: rote memorisation (shallow processing), student self-generated elaboration, and instructor-guided elaboration (deeper processing). ANOVA analysis indicates that
deeper processing results in significantly better retention of sound and meaning of characters than does shallow processing. Of the two kinds of elaboration, retention of sound and meaning is significantly
better with instructor-guided elaboration at a 20-minute interval, but this advantage disappears at a 48-hour recall interval. Comparison of differences between recall of sound and recall of meaning across
the three processing conditions reveals that instructor-guided elaboration significantly enhances retention of character meaning.
Keywords: CHARACTER LEARNING, CHINESE LANGUAGE, CHARACTER PROCESSING, CHINESE CHARACTER
© Multilingual Matters 2004
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