Effects Of Association Network On Vocabulary Learning

In this study the association network is proposed based on the levels of processing of memory theory. Effects of this model on vocabulary learning are stated in order to find more effective vocabulary learning strategy.According to levels of processing, vocabulary learning can be divided surface level coding and deep level coding. The former relies on the word morphology and sound feature and the latter relies on the semantic feature of words. The association network is just the combination of the surface level coding and deep level coding. The association network is to weave related lexical items into certain networks via association such as phonetic variation, word formation, semantic relation, topic-based relation etc. In this way, learners'mental lexicon displays an enormous super-network, which consists of countless sub-networks on different hierarchies.Research hypotheses concern two aspects. Association network promotes the short-term memories of learners. Association network promotes the long-term memories of learner. Hypotheses will be testified through the results of measurements between the experimental group and control group. Firstly, questionnaires are distributed to learner and teacher subjects to discover the most effective learning strategy used at present. Secondly, instructions on the same target words are given to the two groups of learners applying"learning in context", the most effective learning strategy assumed by Chinese learners of English, and association network. Lastly, posttest and retest are conducted with an interval of two weeks in between. Results from the control group and the experimental group are compared.Data collection and data analysis show that the experimental group always outperforms the control group. Association is proved more helpful than the other learning strategy for short-term and long-term memories of learners on high and intermediate levels, but fails to serve learners on low level as a better strategy; learners on the intermediate proficiency level benefit the most from association in short-term memory, while concerning long-term memory, those on the high proficiency level turn out to be the greatest beneficiaries.The association network is an efficient vocabulary learning strategy on the whole. Although it has its limitation i.e., it can not be applied to all level learners. So learners have to use this strategy appropriately.