In this study I examine the construct of aptitude in learningChinese as a second language (L2) to an advanced level. I test 2 hypotheses: first, that L2 aptitude comprises 4 components—working memory, rote memory, grammatical sensitivity, and phonemic coding ability—and second, that L2 aptitude affects learning both directly and indirectly (mediated by strategy use and motivation). Native speak...

the production, distribution, and consumption of information are the most important development indices of any nation. plenty of opportunities were created by e-learning which have overall paved the grounds for and enriched the presentation of learning materials through advanced audiovisual educational facilities. such learning environments are by and large flexible and provide more appropriate...

The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to assess the retention of two word types (synonyms and homonyms) in the short term memory, and (b) to investigate the effect of these word types on word learning by asking learners to learn their Persian meanings. A total of 73 Iranian language learners studying English translation participated in the study. For the first purpose, 36 freshmen from an ...

The game Fox and Geese is solved using retrograde analysis. A neural network trained using a co-evolutionary genetic algorithm with the help of the expert knowledge database was found to be a very capable Fox and Geese player after training, and quickly learned to beat training opponents. Key-Words: Game theory, rote-learning, neural networks, genetic algorithms, co-evolution.

We propose a sub-symbolic connectionist model in which a functionally compositional system self-organizes by learning a provided set of goaldirected actions. This approach is compatible with an idea taken from usagebased accounts of the developmental learning of language, especially one theory of infants’ acquisition process of symbols. The presented model potentially explains a possible contin...

We have applied five supervised learning approaches to word sense disambiguation in the medical domain. Our objective is to evaluate Support Vector Machines (SVMs) in comparison with other well known supervised learning algorithms including the näıve Bayes classifier, C4.5 decision trees, decision lists and boosting approaches. Based on these results we introduce further refinements of these ap...

Two experiments examined priming in the lexical decision task, an indirect test of memory. Experiment 1 manipulated type of processing during study of unrelated word pairs. Recognition of individual words benefited more from semantic than from nonsemantic processing. Repetition priming in lexical decision depended on the context in which the target appeared. Targets preceded at test by unstudie...

Previous research has demonstrated that definable qualities of verbal stimuli have implications for memory. For example, the distinction between concrete and abstract words has led to the finding that concrete words have an advantage in memory tasks (i.e., the concreteness effect). However, other word types, such as words that label specific human emotions, may also affect memory processes. Thi...