AndyMeg wrote:What I don't understand is this: if subs2srs is allowed, why wouldn't be the parallel texts? I mean, isn't subs2srs a form of parallel text but with video content? Or will the subs2srs only be allowed with a transcription of the TL but not with its corresponding translation?
Because subs2srs is basically translation of a sentence or two, on a card, whereas parallel text would allow you to simply read the book. I don't know how to describe this but basically using a dictionary and looking up the words in a sentence, or subs2srs of a sentence or two are different from having the entire comprehensible input at hand and staring at you. Same reason for not allowing native language sub-titles while watching a film, you basically end up reading the film, not listening to it.
AndyMeg wrote:And, is it obligatory for the test group to use a SRS?
No but some kind of wordlist or method of reviewing words you've looked up would be.
AndyMeg wrote:And another question:
If a dictionary is permitted, can you look for grammar explanations of things you encounter while using the native materials? Or will the test group only be permitted to look each individual word? And what about idioms? (their meaning doesn't correlate with the meaning of each of its constituent parts).
The purpose of the study is:
Can exclusive use of native materials will allow a person to increase their language level as scored by the CEFL compared to traditional methods such as tutoring, course work or grammar study?
So grammar lookups are not allowed. I'm not trying to determine if you'll understand everything there is to know, only to measure what, if any, improvement a participant gets using native materials as opposed to using coursework, teachers, or grammatical study. As far as idioms, you can figure some of them out via context. I worked out “In bocca al lupo” is good luck, when watching Italian TV, just because of the context.
Depending on the results of the study, (assuming it makes any difference at all) then people would then use this information to tailor their self-study appropriately.