An Expanded Spacing Advantage over Equal Spacing on Grammar Learning

Abstract

Spacing effect is a robust phenomenon especially in cognitive psychology. Many studies proved that there was spacing effect in L2 words learning, but there are sparse studies about whether spacing effect, especially expanded spacing advantage, can be generalized to L2 grammar learning. The present study aims to examine spacing effect on L2 grammar learning. Ninety-seven subjects studied 3 tenses within one week in 3 groups. Group one studied 3 tenses in only one learning episode, namely massed group; group two on day 1, day 2, day 4 and day 7 (1-2-3), namely expanded spacing; group three on day 1, day 3 day 5 and day 7 (2-2-2), namely equal spacing. Results showed that there was spacing effect on L2 grammar learning; expanded spacing had an advantage over equal spacing not only in short-term memory but also in long-term memory. In other words, spacing effect, especially expanded spacing advantage in words learning, can be generalized to L2 grammar learning. Therefore, it is suggested that teachers teach students L2 grammar in an expanded schedule.