Working Memory and Language Aptitude with Focus on L2 Vocabulary Learning

Abstract

Following approaches of the precedent researches that examined the correlation between measures of working memory (WM) test and classical language aptitude test such as MLAT, this study has a main objective to probe compatibility of WM capacity task to language aptitude test with focus on L2 vocabulary learning. It was hypothesized that a correlation could be found between results of WM capacity task and chosen subtests of language aptitude test which are mainly engaged in vocabulary learning. Considering the fact that it is one of major findings in previous WM studies that overall WM capacity of children is lower than adults, another incidental research question was included whether it can be also verified by WM test results of this study. 18 Korean L2 English learners (users) were selected to take the following three sets of test: (1) Combined WM test of Digit Span task and Backward Digit Span task; (2) Language aptitude test – MLAT V; (3) Language aptitude test – LLAMA B. The results showed that WM capacity was significantly correlated with test score of MLAT V, whereas it was not correlated with LLAMA B. Further, no significant difference between the two groups was shown in WM tests, while t-test result leaves a certain expectation that a more feasible outcome can be derived with an increased number of sample.