ИСТИНА

Among the factors influencing the process of foreign language vocabulary learning the use of mnemonic techniques is one of the particular interest in cognitive psychology. There is a lot of evidence, for instance, in favour of the advantage of “keyword method” for paired associates learning (Atkinson, 1975; Campos et al., 2014). The goal of our research was to analyse perceptual features, underlying different learning techniques, pertaining to different levels of processing (in terms of Craik, Tulving, 1975 and Velichkovsky, 2006). In two different set of experiments we used a research model, comprising a) subjects’ post-hoc report of the used mnemonic techniques, b) types of recall mistakes, c) general recall efficiency, d) eyemovement data. The subjects were instructed to learn new vocabulary items, presented either in a text in their first foreign language or as separate words, paired with their translations in their native language. 31 participants took part in the study (we obtained, in total, data of 1052 trials). In both experiments subjects reported using different vocabulary acquisition techniques, which were classified into 4 groups according to the levels of processing. The techniques were consistent with the types of recall mistakes (e.g., using “phonetic” technique (rehearsal of the words) led to “phonetic” spelling errors, whereas using “keyword method” led to mixing up parts of the words), p < 0.01, which verified the post-hoc report. Eye movement measures of the subjects let us define certain oculomotor patterns for each technique: for instance, in the task of paired associates learning, using “keyword method” resulted in fewer eye movements from foreign word to native word, as compared to “phonetic” technique (p < 0.01). It should be noted, that the choice of the techniques, as well as the eye movement patterns, were related to foreign language learning experience of the subjects. This interrelation can be subjected to future research. The study was sponsored by the RFBR research grant # 1 18-013-01240 а