How do verbal short-term memory and working memory relate to the acquisition of vocabulary and grammar? A comparison between first and second language learners

Journal of Experimental Child Psychology
Josje Verhagen, Paul P M Leseman

Abstract

Previous studies show that verbal short-term memory (VSTM) is related to vocabulary learning, whereas verbal working memory (VWM) is related to grammar learning in children learning a second language (L2) in the classroom. In this study, we investigated whether the same relationships apply to children learning an L2 in a naturalistic setting and to monolingual children. We also investigated whether relationships with verbal memory differ depending on the type of grammar skill investigated (i.e., morphology vs. syntax). Participants were 63 Turkish children who learned Dutch as an L2 and 45 Dutch monolingual children (mean age = 5 years). Children completed a series of VSTM and VWM tasks, a Dutch vocabulary task, and a Dutch grammar task. A confirmatory factor analysis showed that VSTM and VWM represented two separate latent factors in both groups. Structural equation modeling showed that VSTM, treated as a latent factor, significantly predicted vocabulary and grammar. VWM, treated as a latent factor, predicted only grammar. Both memory factors were significantly related to the acquisition of morphology and syntax. There were no differences between the two groups. These results show that (a) VSTM and VWM are differentially assoc...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jul 6, 2017·Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools·Stefano RezzonicoLuigi Girolametto
Oct 30, 2016·Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research : JSLHR·Jayne NewburyCatherine Moran
Nov 10, 2017·Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research : JSLHR·Andrea MariniMassimo Molteni
Mar 29, 2019·Child Development·Margarita Kaushanskaya, Kimberly Crespo
Mar 4, 2020·Journal of Learning Disabilities·Young-Suk Grace Kim
Mar 23, 2019·Frontiers in Psychology·Andrea MariniFrancesco Avanzini
Nov 30, 2019·Journal of Child Language·Hélène Delage, Ulrich Hans Frauenfelder
Jul 6, 2019·Cognition·Nathan R GeorgeDaniel J Weiss

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