The Effect of Working Memory Training on English Reading Comprehension of Adult English Learners

Gholam Reza  Kiany; Bahman  Mehraban; Reza  Ghafar Samar

Educational Research in Medical Sciences

Current Issue All Issues In Press Accepted Manuscripts Search

Journal Information Editors and Boards Indexing and Listing Sources Journal Metrics Reviewer and AE Registration Form Open Peer Review (OPR)Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement Support Contact Us

Authors Guide Submit Manuscript

The Effect of Working Memory Training on English Reading Comprehension of Adult English Learners

Authors:

Gholam Reza Kiany ¹,

Bahman Mehraban^2,*,

Reza Ghafar Samar ¹

1Dept. of English, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

2Dept. of English, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran

Educational Research in Medical Sciences:Vol. 5, issue 2; e79199

Published online:Jan 11, 2017

Article type:Research Article

Received:Oct 31, 2016

Accepted:Dec 22, 2016

How to Cite:Gholam Reza Kiany Bahman MehrabanReza Ghafar Samar The Effect of Working Memory Training on English Reading Comprehension of Adult English Learners.5(2):e79199.

Abstract

Introduction: It is assumed that working memory plays a pivotal role in carrying out all sorts of cognitive functions. The introduction of working memory software has provided researchers with an asset to investigate the differences among individuals which can be attributable to differences in working memory capacity. Following the advent of working memory software, there were also other pieces of software available to the public with the prospect of helping individuals enhance their working memory capacity and as a result enjoy any possible benefits. This study aimed at investigating the possible effects of working memory improvement on some university students’ reading comprehension in English.

Methods: 30 adult university students chosen through convenience sampling approach participated in this study. They were randomly divided into an experimental and a control group. Both groups took pretest on their reading comprehension using three reading texts in English and working memory capacity carried out via the working memory software. While the control group took posttests on the same tests after five weeks, the experimental group underwent a working memory training program consisting of ten sessions before taking the posttests.

Results: The results of t-test analysis showed a significant statistical difference in the performance of the two groups on the working memory test, but their reading task performance scores did not show a significant difference.

Conclusion: The working memory training program did not seem to benefit the participants in carrying out reading comprehension in English.

Keywords

Fulltext

The full text of this article is available on PDF.

References

1.
The references of this article is available on PDF.

comments