Phonological Short-tenn Memory and Second Language Proficiency

This study explores the relationship between second language (L2) learners’ individual working memory (in particular, phonological short-term memory) and L2 proficiency. It analyzed participants’ individual phonological short-term memory both in L1 Korean and L2 English and its relationship with their L2 proficiency. English and Korean non-word repetition tasks were used as measures of phonological short-term memory and L2 English proficiency was measured by a cloze task (i.e., a type of fill-in-the-blank task). Results revealed a correlation between non-word repetition tasks in L1 and L2. In addition, moderate correlations were observed between phonological short-term memory (both in L1 and L2) and the cloze task scores. It revealed that learners’ individual phonological short-term memory capacity in L1 is highly correlated with that in L2, and both L1 and L2 phonological short-term memory capacities are related to L2 proficiency as well. The findings are discussed in terms of individual differences and language aptitude.