The Effects of Working Memory, Processing Speed, Executive Memory, and Presentation Speed on Swedish Language Learning
Open Access
Author:
Barlieb, Aran
Area of Honors:
Psychology
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Keith E Nelson, Thesis Supervisor Keith E Nelson, Thesis Supervisor Kenneth N. Levy, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
information processing language learning working memory processing speed
Abstract:
Individual differences in information processing have been suggested to affect second language (l2) learning. Adult participants with no prior knowledge of the Swedish language were tested for working memory, processing speed, and executive memory capacity. Participants then received 6 instructional sessions with animations of Swedish sentences, with each participant seeing some lessons at High and some at Low rates of presentation. Higher levels of Swedish performance during Instructional Sessions were associated with higher Working Memory levels. In contrast, measures of Swedish language performance at demanding long-term retrieval was more complex and revealed several dynamic relationships between Processing Speed, Working Memory, and Swedish language learning. Implications for theory refinements and adjustments in teaching to individual learner characteristics are discussed.