The Role of Executive Control in Language Learning

Abstract

This dissertation examines whether enhanced executive function plays a role in successful second language acquisition (SLA). Specifically, I examine learners’ performance in language learning tasks and in three tasks argued to reflect components of Miyake et al.’s (2000) model of executive control. Many studies in the past decade have claimed to find superior performance in executive control tasks by lifelong bilinguals (e.g., Bialystok, 2011). There is also research that supports a relationship between bilingualism and success in third language acquisition (TLA) (e.g., Kaushanskaya & Marian, 2009). The purpose of the present research is to explore whether an advantage in learning an additional language might be due to enhanced executive function. If enhanced executive function aids language learning, then I expect to find a significant correlation between performance on a language learning task and performance on executive function tasks, even for learners without a history of bilingualism. In this dissertation, I first describe the literature that examines the variables that support SLA, as well as research showing a bilingual advantage in executive function. Next I present empirical studies I conducted in which monolinguals, language learners, and bilinguals were taught novel words in an unfamiliar language (Turkish) and completed a series of language learning and executive function tasks, as well as another study in which language learners and bilinguals currently enrolled in a second language course were tested in the same tasks. Results show some group effects for executive function and language learning tasks, but the results are not consistent with previous research. Furthermore, the relationship between executive function skills and language learning success is complex and inconsistent, suggesting that further research is needed.