Zhisheng Edward Wen

Macao Polytechnic Institute

Working Memory in L2 Research and Practice --Theoretical and Methodological Considerations

Working memory (WM) refers to our cognitive capacity to temporarily and simultaneously store and process a limited amount of information in our mind to complete some ongoing mental tasks. Inspired by previous research in cognitive psychology and psycholinguistics, the past three decades have also witnessed an increasing body of empirical studies exploring the role WM plays in second language acquisition (SLA) and processing. Empirical evidence accumulating from both individual studies and systematic meta-analyses is pointing to significant albeit moderate effects of WM on L2 acquisitional domains, sub-skills processing, and developmental stages. The current talk sets out to synthesize these emerging results and findings lending support to the portrayal of the ‘WM-SLA nexus’ (Wen, 2016), as well as scrutinizing prevalent WM measures and assessment procedures implemented in current SLA research. Overall, it is argued that WM plays an integral role in both native and second language learning and processing, and that future research needs to expand on Baddeley’s structural view of WM to incorporate the complementary ‘functional’ views. Towards the end, I call for collaborative work between cognitive psychologists and applied linguists to conceptualize and measure WM as a complex, dynamic, and adaptive cognitive system that modulates and shapes aspects of L2 acquisition, processing, and long-term development.

WEN Zhisheng (Edward) obtained his Ph.D. in applied linguistics from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Supervisor: Prof. Peter Skehan) and is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Languages and Translation at Macao Polytechnic Institute in MACAU SAR, China. Dr. Wen has over 20 years of teaching and teacher education experience at universities. His research interests lie in second language acquisition, task-based language teaching and learning, psycholinguistics and cognitive science, with a particular focus on the roles of working memory and language aptitude in SLA. Dr. Wen has published extensively in these areas in academic journals and edited volumes. His recent books include Working memory in second language acquisition and processing (Multilingual Matters, 2015), Working memory and second language learning (Multilingual Matters, 2016), Language aptitude (Routledge, 2019), and Researching L2 task performance and pedagogy (John Benjamins, 2019). Forthcoming books include “Cognitive individual differences in second language acquisition” (de Gruyter Mouton, 2021) and “Cambridge handbook of working memory and language” (Cambridge University Press, 2021).