the research finding that the keyword method is not as effective with experienced or mature language learners as with children and low-proficiency learners is well documented in literature (Hogben & Lawson, 1994; Levin, Pressley, McCormick, Miller, & Shriberg, 1979; Moore & Surber, 1992; Rodriguez & Sadoski, 2000; van Hell & Mahn, 1997). For example, Van Hell and Mahn (1997) conducted two experiments to look at the effective- ness of the keyword technique in comparison with rote learning with 36 experienced foreign language learners and 40 inexperienced language learners. They found that the keyword technique was not more beneficial than rote learning with the experienced learners. Not only were fewer words recalled by the experienced learners using the key- word method in the immediate and the delayed post-tests than those engaged in rote learning, but also more time was needed by them to recall the translations of the foreign target words. Thus the effectiveness of the keyword method with mature and experienced language learners is in doubt.