In an effort to find a way to optimize the learning condition, this study examined the effects of two types of input frequency distribution, skewed-first distribution (SFD) versus balanced distribution (BD), and two types of focus-on-form techniques, input processing (IP) versus input enhancement (IE), on the learning of English participles by Korean middle school students. A total of 91 students participated in this study, divided into five subgroups: SFD + IP, SFD + IE, BD + IP, BD + IE, and Control. The learning outcomes and the generalizability of the learned knowledge were measured through scaled judgment tasks and picture description tasks, immediately after treatment as well as one week later. The results showed that the input frequency distribution factor did not have statistically significant effects on learning and generalizability, while the degrees of explicitness of focus-on-form techniques had statistically significant effects on both. The interaction effects of the two main factors were not statistically significant. More detailed findings are presented with some pedagogical implications for Korean EFL classrooms.

The present study compared the effects of isolated and integrated form-focused instruction (FFI) on the learning of vocabulary in reading passages. Their effects were also compared to those of incidental exposure on vocabulary learning. It further investigated whether such effects would differ depending on the types of vocabulary assessments. To this end, 80 college students in reading-oriented classes received either isolated or integrated FFI treatments over four 50-minute sessions. They also took the pretest and posttest designed to measure their vocabulary learning. The vocabulary tests consisted of two assessment types: one without contexts and the other provided with contexts. The results showed that the learners remembered the words instructed through isolated or integrated FFI better than those through incidental exposure while reading. However, no significant differences were observed between the two different types of FFI in learning target vocabulary. Some advantages were found for isolated FFI on the vocabulary test provided without contexts and for integrated FFI on the vocabulary test provided with context. Directions for further studies and pedagogical implications will be discussed.