Learning new words through reading: do robust spelling–sound mappings boost learning of word forms and meanings?

) to decode spelling-sound mappings. Post-tests assessed word-form knowledge, orthography-semantic mappings and semantic-phonology mappings. Results showed that greater decoding ease improved learning of word forms and consequently also impacted on word meanings. Higher exposure frequency improved learning of word forms but not meanings. Exposure frequency also modulated the effect of decoding ease on word-form learning, with a stronger effect of decoding ease for fewer exposures. Disentangling effects of decoding ease from print exposure has important implications for understanding potential barriers to vocabulary learning.