{
  "schema": "vedokrok.public-item.v1",
  "release_id": "MHC-RPUB-20260920-75ad787a",
  "url": "/knowledge/promote-mature-vocabulary-into-maintenance",
  "id": "MHC-D-RESEARCH-1130",
  "version": "0.1.0",
  "title": "Promote mature vocabulary into maintenance",
  "summary": "A mature word should earn distance.",
  "kind": "heuristic",
  "body": "When an item survives delayed productive retrieval and still behaves correctly in a new context, lengthen its interval aggressively or remove it from frequent review. Use ordinary reading, listening and real production as additional contact. Reserve dense review time for fragile, high-value language rather than paying a daily tax on words that have already proved durable.",
  "limits": [
    "Low-frequency but mission-critical vocabulary may need maintenance even when it is currently strong because natural exposure is unlikely."
  ],
  "topics": [
    "union-language-vocabulary-chunks-and-spacing"
  ],
  "intents": [],
  "source_ids": [
    "RS-D49FF6D4C7F6E228",
    "RS-8DA03D1167644592"
  ],
  "evidence": [
    {
      "claim": "Spaced practice has a medium-to-large positive effect on second-language learning; longer spacing is more beneficial than shorter spacing on delayed tests, while equal and expanding schedules were statistically equivalent in the meta-analysis.",
      "source_id": "RS-D49FF6D4C7F6E228",
      "role": "supports",
      "note": "The evidence does not yield one fixed interval sequence that is optimal for every learner, item and retention horizon.",
      "locator": "Abstract"
    },
    {
      "claim": "Intentional vocabulary activities can produce substantial immediate learning, but delayed recall is lower and outcomes vary widely by activity and study conditions.",
      "source_id": "RS-8DA03D1167644592",
      "role": "supports",
      "note": "Average gains do not tell an individual learner which specific words will remain usable in spontaneous production.",
      "locator": "Abstract"
    }
  ],
  "use_when": [
    "A review queue keeps growing because mastered items never leave frequent rotation."
  ],
  "avoid_when": [
    "Low-frequency but mission-critical vocabulary may need maintenance even when it is currently strong because natural exposure is unlikely."
  ],
  "example": "A work phrase recalled accurately over several long intervals leaves the daily deck; a rare technical term remains on a slower maintenance schedule.",
  "check": "Frequent review contains mostly items that still benefit from near-term retrieval.",
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "RS-D49FF6D4C7F6E228",
      "title": "The Effects of Spaced Practice on Second Language Learning: A Meta-Analysis",
      "url": "https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/lang.12479"
    },
    {
      "id": "RS-8DA03D1167644592",
      "title": "How Effective Are Intentional Vocabulary-Learning Activities? A Meta-Analysis",
      "url": "https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/modl.12671"
    }
  ],
  "relations": [],
  "collections": [
    {
      "id": "RC-19E8D9BF2A05811F",
      "title": "Make vocabulary retrievable, durable and usable",
      "url": "/collections/make-vocabulary-retrievable-durable-and-usable"
    }
  ]
}