How Working Memory Plays A Role In Second Language Learning:A Mediated With Moderation

Working memory is an important cognitive factor influencing second language learning in adolescents,and previous research has shown positive correlations between working memory,proactive control,achievement motivation,and second language learning;however,the relationship between these variables is unclear.The current group of second language learners is getting younger and younger,and since adolescents’ cognition is still developing and the second language(English)is a compulsory subject that students take in school,it plays an important role in the future development of young learners.In view of this,this study aims to focus on the cognitive abilities and affective characteristics required for second language learning,and to explore the relationship between working memory and second language learning using junior high school students as subjects,and to propose a moderated mediation model based on this.Study 1 used 233 junior high school students as subjects to explore the relationship between working memory(including verbal working memory and spatial working memory),and English performance using a numerical active memory task,a cognitive control task,a Corsi memory task,and English performance,and found that junior high school students’ verbal working memory and visuospatial working memory were significantly and positively related to active control and English performance.Further tests of mediating effects indicated that proactive control had a partially mediating role in verbal working memory and English achievement.Study 2 selected 300 junior high school students and used a numerical active memory task,a cognitive control task,a Corsi memory task,an English achievement and an achievement motivation questionnaire to measure the effect of verbal working memory on English achievement and the moderating role of achievement motivation in the mediating path of proactive control.The results of the study found that successseeking motivation played a moderating role in the first half of the pathway and the second half of the pathway mediating the effect of verbal working memory and proactive control.The above results suggest that working memory is the main factor influencing adolescents’ second language learning,proactive control is a mediating variable influencing adolescents’ second language learning,and success-seeking motivation helps reduce the negative effects of low working memory ability individuals on adolescents’ second language learning through proactive control.Thus,the effect of verbal working memory on second language learning is mediated by moderation.