The document discusses memory and its role in second language acquisition. It describes the different types of memory, including sensory memory, working memory, and long-term memory. Sensory memory is very brief, while working memory holds information for short periods of time and plays an important role in language learning. Information is transferred from working memory to long-term memory for permanent storage. Memorization and repetition are important for maintaining information in long-term memory.

1. M is for Memory

2.  Memory in L2 acquisition
 Sensory memory
 Working memory
 Long-term memory
 Memorization
Today’s presentation:

3. “There is no learning without
memory, and language learning
in particular.”
Thornbury, S. (2006). An A-Z of ELT. Macmillan books for
teachers series.
Memory in L2 acquisition

4. Learning a language = learning a large amount of
vocabulary
Learning is, in most cases, a memory task
Memory in L2 acquisition

5.  Having a good memory improves memory
acquisition and increases aptitude to languages
in general.
 There are currently models of memory; sensory
memory, working memory and long-term
memory.
Memory in L2 acquisition

6.  the shortest one, i.e. lasts only for seconds.
 triggered by echo and visual impressions.
Sensory memory

7. Working memory (short-term memory)
 responsible for holding and processing information
for only a short period of time.
 information can come from an external source or it
can be retrieved from long-term memory.
 plays an important role in language acquisition
(vocabulary, chunks, locating information from
texts, etc.)

8.  The capacity is limited; it can process a limited
amount of information at one time
 Most cognitive tasks depend on working
memory.
Working memory (short-term memory)

9.  responsible for storing information in a more
permanent way
 has enormous capacity and durability
 can be described as ‘storage units of information’
Long-Term Memory

10.  Information from working memory is stored in
long term memory but can revert back to
working memory when needed
 Repetition is crucial in order to maintain
information and prevent it from being lost.
 One of the ways to maintain information is
memorization.
Long-Term Memory

11. Memory Model
link to the website

12. “…The memorization of meaningful words and
even sentences is now considered to be an
essential ingredient of language learning.”
Thornbury, S. (2006). An A-Z of ELT. Macmillan books for teachers series.
Memorization

13.  Elaboration- in order to remember a word
more effectively, one should process
information more elaborately.
Forms of Memorization

14.  Rehearsal- a mental recycling for the purpose
of memorization.
 Mnemonics- a trick to help retrieve items.
 Word cards
Forms of Memorization (cont.)

15.  Memory model website
 The role of working memory in SLA
 Thornbury, S. (2006). An A-Z of ELT. Macmillan books
for teachers series.
References