Games for Working Memory Training in Foreign Language Learning

Abstract

The purpose of this case study was to examine the effects of games for working memory training to enhance language learning in low performance students given that a considerable body of research has demonstrated that, among other factors, working memory may account for individual differences in linguistic achievement. The population consisted of nine low performance language students (English as a foreign language) from second, fourth, and sixth semester in the English and French program at Universidad de Nariño, Colombia, who received working memory training games during a six-week period. The results showed general improvement in the subjects’ overall language performance during the sessions and in class, which confirmed the premise that if students are given a set of strategies to exercise and improve their memory, they are likely to use and replicate them when training is not taking place.

Keywords

• working memory
• memory training
• games
• language learning