خلاصة:
Working memory capacity, especially as it relates to L1 vs. L2, has been found
to play a significant role in language comprehension and processing. The
majority of the related studies have, however, been focused on reading
comprehension, either in L1 or L2 contexts. The present study is a further
attempt to investigate the role of working memory capacity in language
comprehension/processing, but in the context of L2 listening. To this end, a
sample of 220 male and female foreign language learners were recruited. To
collect the required data, a series of measures including a language proficiency
test, two auditory working memory capacity tasks (English and Persian) and
two listening comprehension passages were administered to the participants.
The results showed a significant relationship between Persian and English
auditory memories for storage dimension, but not for the processing
component. Additionally, the findings showed that L2 auditory memory is
more highly correlated with L2 listening comprehension compared with L1
auditory memory. A further finding of the study was that literal vs. inferential
types of listening comprehension engage different types of working memory
processes
ملخص الجهاز:
The present study is a further attempt to investigate the role of working memory capacity in language comprehension/processing, but in the context of L2 listening.
To collect the required data, a series of measures including a language proficiency test, two auditory working memory capacity tasks (English and Persian) and two listening comprehension passages were administered to the participants.
Part of the reason for this recognition lies in the assumption that WM is one individual differences variable which can explain interpersonal variation in cognitive tasks/activities (Bengson & Luck, 2015; Daneman & Carpenter, 1980; Just & Carpenter, 1992; Kane & Engle, 2002) including language acquisition, performance and processing (Indrarathne & Kormos, 2016; Juffs & Harrington, 2011; Rai, Loschky, Harris, Peck & Cook, 2011, among others).
One of the vibrant and productive lines of research in this area has focused on the role that WMC is assumed to play in language comprehension and majority of the studies have been focused around reading comprehension (Alptekin & Ercetin, 2009; 2010, 2012; Alptekin, Erçetin, & Özemir, 2014; Foroughi, Barragán, & Boehm-Davis, 2016; Friedman & Miyake, 2004; Harrington & Sawyer, 1992; Min Jin Lee, 2014; Nevo & Breznitz, 2013; Walter, 2004).
Data Collection Methods In order to test the hypotheses of the study, a language proficiency test, two auditory working memory capacity tasks (English & Persian) and two listening comprehension passages were used, which are described below.
However, the results of the Pearson 76 Literal and Inferential Listening Comprehension … product-moment correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between Persian and English auditory memories on storage (r= .