• Journal of Korean language education
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.39-62
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• 2017

This study is to examine grammar understanding with beginner English speakers according to presentational methods of grammatical content. 18 English-speaking Korean beginners were randomly assigned and divided into two groups. We first examined if there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in grammar comprehension with and without illustrations. It was found that the group given the presentation illustrations showed greater understanding than the group without them. Second, no statistically significant difference in grammar understanding was found between the groups with and without materials marked for their awareness. Third, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups with the order of presenting content elements related to grammatical items. This study is to affirm the importance of illustrations as a component of Korean textbooks.

• Journal of Korean language education
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.337-366
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• 2017

This study examines the acquisition of the multiple semantic functions of the Korean adverbial particle -ey by L1 American English learners of Korean as a second language at U.S. institutions. Participants at beginning, intermediate, and advanced proficiency levels (N = 45) were tested on the ability to interpret and produce five of the meanings of -ey, which they had been taught in formal classroom settings in the first semester of their Korean language learning. The results show different developmental trajectories for the particle's different semantic functions. The findings of a statistical analysis indicate that the beginning and intermediate proficiency learners had largely acquired the time, goal, and stative location meanings, but not the contact and unit meanings; the advanced learners demonstrated acquisition of all except for the unit meaning. The study suggests that in addition to factors such as semantic complexity and cross-linguistic influence, several other factors including L2 frequency, the availability of linguistic input, and instructional method also contribute to the acquisition of -ey.