Musical aptitude, working memory, general intelligence and plurilingualism: when adults learn to read fluently in a foreign language.

Carmen Fonseca-Mora, Francisco Herrero Machancoses, Olena Gryb, Susanne Maria Reiterer (Korresp. Autor*in)

Veröffentlichungen: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftArtikelPeer Reviewed

Abstract

Studies over the past two decades have provided relevant data on the relationship between music and reading abilities although they fundamentally refer to aspects of the first language reading process of young children. The foreign language reading acquisition process of adult learners has, in this sense, been less explored. Research in this area refers to working memory as a "common cognitive marker" for musical aptitude and reading ability, but little is known about the relationship between musical aptitude and silent reading fluency of adult foreign language learners, the hallmark of skilled readers. Specifically, this study seeks to determine whether musical aptitude as well as cognitive factors such as working memory, general intelligence and plurilingualism could contribute to the understanding of adults' silent reading abilities in a foreign language. For this purpose, thirty-eight undergraduates, native speakers of German and learners of Spanish, were tested. Additionally, their FL reading comprehension level and their musical training were controlled to categorise the learners. Our data shows a strong association of musical aptitude, working memory, general intelligence and plurilingualism with learners' foreign language silent reading fluency. In addition, a multiple linear regression analysis reveals that musical aptitude and knowledge of different foreign languages influence their silent reading fluency. But when in a second linear regression the lower reading proficiency level (A2) was introduced as a controlling variable, only musical aptitude is significant. In conclusion, further studies on the silent reading capacity of adult foreign language learners need to consider abilities such as musical aptitude and plurilingualism to better understand the whole reading acquisition process.

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Aufsatznummer1936371
Seitenumfang16
FachzeitschriftCogent Education
Jahrgang8
Ausgabenummer1
DOIs
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 6 Juli 2021

ÖFOS 2012

  • 503003 Begabungsforschung
  • 602007 Angewandte Sprachwissenschaft
  • 602040 Psycholinguistik

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