Can Individual Differences in Working Memory Capacity Predict Language Aptitude: Measurement Using the Reading Span Test

Language teachers, through their experience, may have perceived the presence or absence of what is often referred to as ‘Language Aptitude’ in their students. This paper reviews previous research on the relationship between Working Memory (WM) and learning outcomes, exploring the potential applications of these findings in educational settings. The WM model has been expected to contribute not only to language acquisition but also to the understanding of cognitive functions, ranging from dementia to developmental disorders, and its potential applications in clinical settings have been widely recognized. However, to date, these insights have not led to revolutionary applications in educational settings.
In this experiment, the Reading Span Test (RST) was used to measure WM in Chinese learners of Japanese. If WM is shown to be a reliable predictor of learning outcomes, it could become a valuable tool, akin to placement tests. The Japanese version of the RST was translated into Chinese, and test materials were adapted accordingly, highlighting several challenges that warrant further investigation. Notably, the relationship between individual differences in memory capacity and language aptitude remains unclear without concurrently addressing what constitutes a valid assessment of language proficiency.
The results suggest that learners with higher WM capacity exhibit remarkably stable performance, contrasting with those with lower WM capacity, who tend to experience significant score drops when encountering unfamiliar test formats. Beyond the superficial scores of paper tests, learners with higher WM capacity may be steadily acquiring Japanese language proficiency.
Accurately and efficiently measuring WM could significantly advance research into its role in second language acquisition. Therefore, further research is needed to refine the methods for measuring WM in learners of Japanese. This study represents an initial step toward achieving that goal.