The relative effects of processing instruction and output-based instruction on the comprehension and production of Japanese simple and complex verb inflections

Abstract

The present study investigates the effects of input-based processing instruction (PI), in comparison to output-based instruction (OI), on the comprehension and production of two types of Japanese past-tense verb inflections. Representing the same meaning of "events or actions completed in the past," the polite-style past-tense form "-mashita" is considered morphologically simple, while the plain-style form "-ta/ita/ida/shita/tta/nda" follows more complex rules. In order to investigate the differences in effects of PI and OI on both forms, this study conducted classroom experiments: two groups of Japanese beginner learners carried out PI and OI activities using polite and plain forms of past-tense verbs. The results of pre-, post-, and delayed tests revealed that, overall, PI was more effective than OI in helping participants comprehend and produce polite-style forms, whereas OI was more effective than PI in helping them produce plain-style forms during the immediate post-test. These findings address the argument that PI activities indeed lead to a significant improvement in the acquisition of simple forms; however, output-oriented activities may be more effective when forms are more complex.