O n f e r e n c e

Yu-Chuan Joni Chao, Kuo-Yu Liu 
Providence University, Taichung, Taiwan 
[e-mail], [e-mail] 
The Path to Language Acquisition: Progressive Learning or 
Adaptive Learning? 
Bio data 
Dr. 
Yu-Chuan Joni Chao
is an associate professor in the Department of English 
Language, Literature and Linguistics, Providence University, Taiwan. Her research 
interests are second language writing, EFL vocabulary and CALL. 
Dr. 
Kuo-Yu Liu
is an assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science & 
Communication Engineering, Providence University, Taiwan. His research interests are 
Web-based technology, e-learning systems and cross-media applications. 
Abstract 
The study uses the design-based research (DBR) methodology to develop a computer-
assisted grammar learning program to enhance grammatical attention and linguistic 
acquisition (GALA). The first design of training grammatical attention is designed with 
pair-structured input processing tasks to train learners to detect linguistic forms 
efficiently and effectively. As the intake of grammar in production memory requires 
procedures like matching of phonemes and recalling of appropriate forms, the second 
design is to train speed reaction in working memory to enhance linguistic acquisition by 
transforming 
learners’ 
grammatical knowledge to procedural knowledge in the production 
memory for execution needed in writing. The study conducted two phases of reflective 
inquiry to evaluate the GALA program as well as to find the better learning path between 
progressive learning and adaptive learning to language acquisition. Results of the DBR 
study not only justify the theoretical approaches to grammatical attention and linguistic 
acquisition but also shed light on refining the GALA program to use the progressive 
learning design for better grammatical accuracy and faster automaticity.