Auditory memory and proficiency of second language speaking: a latent variable analysis approach

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Second Language Acquisition
• Psychoacoustics

Background:

• Previous second language aptitude research primarily utilized verbal memory tasks.
• The potential of musical memory in second language aptitude studies remains underexplored despite structural similarities between music and language.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of musical memory in second language aptitude.
• To examine the relationship between verbal memory, musical memory, and second language pronunciation proficiency.

Main Methods:

• 30 Japanese university students learning English participated.
• Participants completed verbal memory tasks, musical memory tasks, and English pronunciation assessments.
• Factor analysis and path analysis were employed to analyze the data.

Main Results:

• Factor analysis suggested verbal and musical memory abilities form a single, unitary factor.
• Path analysis confirmed that this combined memory factor significantly influences second language pronunciation, including prosodic elements like stress and intonation.

Conclusions:

• Auditory working memory, as reflected by performance on both verbal and musical memory tasks, is a crucial component of second language aptitude.
• Findings support the hypothesis that a unified auditory memory system underlies both musical and verbal memory, impacting language learning outcomes.