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Learning written word vocabulary in a second language: Theoretical and practical implications

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 June 2017

BRENDAN STUART WEEKES
BRENDAN STUART WEEKES*
Affiliation:
Laboratory for Communication Science, University of Hong Kong School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Brendan S. Weekes, Laboratory for Communication Science, Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, weekes@hku.hk
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Abstract

Short-term memory (STM) is required for second language learning. However, it is not clear what components of STM are necessary for the acquisition and lexicalisation of new written words. Studies suggest that memory for serial order is a critical cognitive process in spoken word acquisition although correlated mechanisms such as executive control also play a role. In this study, bilingual Cantonese–English speakers who are learning written expert words in a non-native language were tested over a one year period in their first year of instruction. Written word lexicalisation was measured using lexical decision and spelling to dictation tasks. Results showed measures of executive control (Stroop performance) and serial order memory capacity predict recognition and recall of written expert words at different stages. Whereas serial order memory predicts improvements to lexical decision accuracy, executive control predicts spelling to dictation performance after one year. The conclusion is that STM processes do constrain written word lexicalisation in a second language. However, executive control and serial order memory capacity have differential effects during word lexicalisation.

Keywords

serial order short term memoryexecutive controlfluid intelligenceexpert word learningCantonese–English bilinguals
Type
Research Article
Information
Bilingualism: Language and Cognition , Volume 21 , Issue 3 , May 2018 , pp. 585 - 597
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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Footnotes

*This study was supported by Research Grant Number 754412 from the General Research Fund, Research Grants Council of Hong Kong. Thanks to Nathalie Ip, Josephine Tze, Kevin Lee and Loan Vuong for assistance with data collection and analysis.

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