The Influence of Working Memory on Reading and Creative Writing Processes in a Second Language

The present study tested both the processing and storage of functions of working memory (WM) and whether WM in low-order and high-order writing processes follows the same pattern as in reading. The influence of WM on creative writing was also tested. Forty-seven high school students participated in this study. A test of written language was administered to the subjects, comprising the following subtests spelling, vocabulary, style, logical sentence, sentence combining, thematic maturity, contextual vocabulary, syntactic maturity, contextual spelling, contextual style. A WM reading comprehension test was also conducted. The overall findings of the study indicate significant relationships between WM measures and reading and writing in English as a second language.