Language Learning and Development· 2026Q1
Actively seeking variability: effects of active learning and talker variability on novel word learning in adults
- 1citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Adults learning novel words chose to hear from multiple talkers (average 5), and greater exposure to talker variability predicted better production and comprehension accuracy.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Key points
- Adult learners selected an average of 5 talkers when given the choice during novel word learning.
- Increased talker variability exposure predicted higher accuracy in both word production and comprehension.
- Active learning (choosing talkers) did not yield better results than passive exposure.
- Participants in the passive condition showed superior performance on the comprehension test.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Talker variability has been found to be both helpful and challenging for learners. For example, while adult word recognition is slowed down when the talker changes rapidly from trial to trial, this same talker variability can benefit learning non-native sound contrasts and production of novel words. However, all prior research has exposed participants to predetermined orders or variability conditions. Since research suggests that learners engage in active information seeking and it can benefit learning, here we ask whether adults seek out talker variability during word learning and how this variability influences performance. Active participants chose to hear words from 5 talkers on average, and hearing more talker variability for individual words predicted production and comprehension accuracy. While active learning was not beneficial, participants in the Passive condition performed better on the comprehension test. Results are consistent when cognates are excluded from the analyses. We discuss the results in the context of high variability phonetic training and active learning theories.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Language Learning and Development, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Experimental and Cognitive PsychologyPsychology