The Effect of Peripheral Learning on Vocabulary Acquisition, Retention and Recall Among Iranian EFL Learners

Abstract

This study is an attempt to investigate the effect ofperipheral learning on Iranian EFL learners’ vocabulary acquisition, retention and recall. Peripheral learninghere refers to the perception occurring implicitly andincidentally as a result of continuous exposure to the increasing quantity of information (Taylor, 1990). 80 female participants aged between 18 to 21 were selectedand randomly divided in two groups, namely as the experimental and control groups. Before starting the treatment, a validated content-based test was administeredto both groups as the pre-test. Then, after the treatment,three post-tests were administered as immediate recall,delayed recall and retention test respectively. The results demonstrated a significant difference between the two groups for each post-test. By analyzing the results, it was revealed that the peripheral exposure of vocabularyto the participants had a very significant impact on the participants’ vocabulary acquisition, retention, and recall.

Key words: Peripheral learning; Vocabularyacquisition; Retention and recall