The Impacts of Massed, Clumped, and Spaced Distributed Augmented Reality-Assisted Learning on Vocabulary Achievement of Young EFL learners: A New Approach in CALL

Subject Areas : آموزش زبان انگلیسی

Shiva Khatoony ¹ , Behdokht Mall-Amiri ² , Sholeh Kolahi ³

1 - Department of English, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Department of English, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 - Department of English, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2025-03-12 Accepted : 2025-07-27 Published : 2025-08-17

Keywords: ARAL, CALL, Clumped Learning, Massed Learning, Spaced Learning, Distributed Learning, Vocabulary acquisition ,

Abstract :

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of massed, clumped, and spaced distribution of an Augmented Reality-Assisted Language (ARAL) application on young English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners' vocabulary learning. Forty-eight native Persian speakers, ages 5 to 10, who attended a private international school in Istanbul, Turkey, participated in the research. To teach vocabulary items, the researchers used a researchers-made  augmented reality smartphone application based on a phonics book. Using the ARAL application, three groups of primary school students were assigned to receive instruction: massed learning (one lesson per day for four days in a row), clumped learning (two lessons twice a week with a brief break), and spaced learning (one lesson per day for four days in a row). The impact of the ARAL application was assessed using a pre-test–post-test approach. The ANCOVA results demonstrated that the learning environment had an impact on the students' vocabulary development. The greatest post-test scores were obtained in the massed condition. Therefore, the results demonstrate the value of incorporating massed learning methodologies into EFL teaching practices and validate the efficacy of massed learning using ARAL for Persian-speaking EFL learners. The results have consequences for curriculum writers, administrators, and EFL teachers who want to use the massed dissemination method of ARAL application.

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