Effectiveness of force dynamic explanations of English causative verbs and the role of imagery

The current study examines the effectiveness of a CL-based force dynamic (FD) lesson relative to a more conventional approach that seeks to convey the target semantics through corresponding L1 forms. Exp. 1 (N=67) examined Japanese EFL students’ acquisition of the English verbsforce, get, have, help, let, make, andprevent, comparing the effectiveness of force dynamic explanations with dynamic diagrams and a translation-based approach. Both groups showed significant learning on both the posttest and delayed posttest, but the FD group’s greater gains over the conventional instruction on both the posttest and delayed posttest did not reach significance. Exp. 2 (N=97) replicated most of the Exp. 1 conditions but with a slightly altered instructional format to ensure participant’s focus on force dynamic relationships. The FD group’s greater gains on a posttest given three weeks following instruction fell short of statistical significance. Exp. 3 (N=54) compared the effectiveness of a FD lesson using dynamic images with a lesson without such images and found no significant differences between the groups. The three experiments demonstrate that CL-based instruction on force dynamics provides a viable alternative to conventional instruction in which target semantics are conveyed through translation.