Working memory capacity is a robust indicator of success or failure in language learning¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · theoretical r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2021 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? WM capacity is a robust indicator of success or failure in language learning, and WM is significantly related to multiple aspects of second language learning. → Demir 2021

Evidence¶

Demir 2021¶

Demir, Bora. (2021). Working Memory Model and Language Learning. Shanlax International Journal of Education. https://doi.org/10.34293/education.v9iS2-Sep.4366

q2 · i? · theoretical · r2

The article's narrative review asserts, citing a large body of prior research (e.g., Engle et al., 1999; van den Noort et al., 2006), that "individuals' memory capacity is a robust indicator of success or failure in language learning". No effect size is reported in this article itself.

"Today, it is well established that individuals' memory capacity is a robust indicator of success or failure in language learning."

Discussion¶

Learner Variables¶

• Working Memory — predictor: learners who differ on it differ in outcomes

Related Claims¶

• A shared attentional resource for storage and processing is the best supported resource theory of WM capacity but faces empirical challenges — related
• Working-memory capacity correlates positively with accuracy on all four sentence-production conditions — related
• After controlling for age, WM correlates significantly only with the most demanding condition (priming task, noncanonical word order) — related
• Evidence on working memory capacity as a moderator of the interleaving effect is mixed, but WM does not appear to be a major barrier to classroom use — related
• Cascade models in which IQ mediates the WM-to-achievement path fit comparably to, but not significantly better than, the original correlated models — related
• Two distinct implicit cognitive processes show different predictive links: implicit learning predicts skill learning, associative memory activation predicts language task success — related