Working Memory in L2 Speaking: An Overview

Second language (L2) speaking is a complex, cognitively demanding skill that requires learners to simultaneously access vocabulary, retrieve syntactic structures and maintain f luency during interaction. Individual differences in working memory (WM) — a limited-capacity system for temporary storage and processing of information — appear to critically shape speaking performance. This paper provides an overview of the role of WM in L2 speaking by drawing on key WM models and definitions and reviewing the research examining how individual differences in WM inf luence L2 speaking performance. Finally, practical pedagogical implications are discussed, offering preliminary guidance for English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers to design speaking activities and support L2 learners.