The Role of Procedural Memory in Adult Second Language Acquisition

Katherine Brill-Schuetz	University of Illinois, Chicago
Kara Morgan-Short	University of Illinois, Chicago

Abstract

This study examined the role of procedural memory in adult second language (L2) development. Participants were trained on an artificial language under either explicit or implicit conditions. Development in the L2 was assessed by grammar tests at two time points. Measures of procedural memory were administered and were used to create high and low procedural groups. Results revealed an advantage in L2 development for learners with high procedural memory when trained in the implicit condition. Overall, this study suggests that procedural memory may be an important factor in adult L2 development but its role may differ under different learning contexts.

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