Effects of concept mapping on L2 learning: a meta-analysis of studies from 2006 to 2024

Abstract In recent years, there has been an increasing number of studies on the use of mind maps and learners' academic performance in second language (L2) learning. However, the results are generally divergent and have not been reasonably explained. Hence, this meta-analysis study set out to e...

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Main Author: Xiao Han
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-04-01
Series:Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40862-025-00331-2
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author Xiao Han
author_facet Xiao Han
author_sort Xiao Han
collection DOAJ
description Abstract In recent years, there has been an increasing number of studies on the use of mind maps and learners' academic performance in second language (L2) learning. However, the results are generally divergent and have not been reasonably explained. Hence, this meta-analysis study set out to explore the overall effect of mind mapping on L2 learning performance and analyzed moderator variables to explain the differences among related studies. This research collected 68 relevant studies between 2006 and 2024, examining the effects of concept mapping on L2 learning. Results showed that instructional application of concept mapping had a large effecton L2 learning. Subgroup test and meta-regression analysis showed that concept mapping benefited L2 learners, especially ESL/EFL learners, across a broad range of learning contexts. L2 learners should be encouraged to use both paper-based and computerized concept maps. Cooperative or collaborative concept mapping application was shown to be more effective than individual concept mapping activities. Moreover, concept mapping suited better in productive skills learning than in receptive skills learning. This meta-analysis provides empirical evidence for implementing concept mapping in L2 instruction, particularly in collaborative ESL/EFL contexts.
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spelling doaj-art-ce8379e58c3f442db7a89c8a1d62719b2025-08-20T02:55:38ZengSpringerOpenAsian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education2363-51692025-04-0110112010.1186/s40862-025-00331-2Effects of concept mapping on L2 learning: a meta-analysis of studies from 2006 to 2024Xiao Han0Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, Tsinghua UniversityAbstract In recent years, there has been an increasing number of studies on the use of mind maps and learners' academic performance in second language (L2) learning. However, the results are generally divergent and have not been reasonably explained. Hence, this meta-analysis study set out to explore the overall effect of mind mapping on L2 learning performance and analyzed moderator variables to explain the differences among related studies. This research collected 68 relevant studies between 2006 and 2024, examining the effects of concept mapping on L2 learning. Results showed that instructional application of concept mapping had a large effecton L2 learning. Subgroup test and meta-regression analysis showed that concept mapping benefited L2 learners, especially ESL/EFL learners, across a broad range of learning contexts. L2 learners should be encouraged to use both paper-based and computerized concept maps. Cooperative or collaborative concept mapping application was shown to be more effective than individual concept mapping activities. Moreover, concept mapping suited better in productive skills learning than in receptive skills learning. This meta-analysis provides empirical evidence for implementing concept mapping in L2 instruction, particularly in collaborative ESL/EFL contexts.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40862-025-00331-2Concept mappingMind mappingMeta-analysisSecond language learning
spellingShingle Xiao Han
Effects of concept mapping on L2 learning: a meta-analysis of studies from 2006 to 2024
Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education
Concept mapping
Mind mapping
Meta-analysis
Second language learning
title Effects of concept mapping on L2 learning: a meta-analysis of studies from 2006 to 2024
title_full Effects of concept mapping on L2 learning: a meta-analysis of studies from 2006 to 2024
title_fullStr Effects of concept mapping on L2 learning: a meta-analysis of studies from 2006 to 2024
title_full_unstemmed Effects of concept mapping on L2 learning: a meta-analysis of studies from 2006 to 2024
title_short Effects of concept mapping on L2 learning: a meta-analysis of studies from 2006 to 2024
title_sort effects of concept mapping on l2 learning a meta analysis of studies from 2006 to 2024
topic Concept mapping
Mind mapping
Meta-analysis
Second language learning
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40862-025-00331-2
work_keys_str_mv AT xiaohan effectsofconceptmappingonl2learningametaanalysisofstudiesfrom2006to2024