Savings in the relearning of second language vocabulary: The effects of time and proficiency

This article extends the line of research that has recently applied the savings paradigm from cognitive psychology to vocabulary relearning. Second language (L2) data from 304 returnees from Japan and Korea provide evidence of the strongest savings effect yet reported in studies of lexical reactivation. The extent of the savings advantage appears to decline over time (with age a confounding factor) and relates significantly to current vocabulary size. No significant gender effects in savings are evident, but unexpected differences between the L2 Japanese and L2 Korean subgroups are reported in both lexical maintenance and savings accessibility. Substantial Matthew effects in both data sets help elucidate sources of individual differences in vocabulary learning and relearning.