THE INTERPLAY OF WORKING MEMORY AND SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING AMONG THE PAKISTANI UNDERGRADUATE ESL LEARNERS

Abstract

The present study investigates the role of working memory in second language learning with special focus on the writing aspect of language. Since long, the role of working memory in Second Language Acquisition (SLA) has been studied by the researchers. As suggested by Hayes (1996) and Kellogg et al, (2013) “writing models play a significant part in the product and process aspects of writing and thus are supporting the role of working memory (Hayes (1996) and Kellogg et al., (2013). The present study thus aims to investigate how working memory capacity correlates with writing aspect of second language learning among Pakistani ESL learners. Hayes and Kellogg (2013) suggest that working memory plays a key role in L2 writing reference to the cognitive abilities. For this purpose, quantitative approach is used to answer the significant research questions. Findings of the study show a positive correlation between working memory capacity, and L2 writing performance. Learners with higher working memory capacity were able to produce more accurate and complex sentences as compared to the learners with lower working memory capacity.  The study will be beneficial in developing the teaching techniques that ensure the second language learning by designing tasks that align with the cognitive abilities of learners. Finally, the research will contribute to the field of SLA by offering new insights into the role of Cognitive load in L2 acquisition.