This study tested the hypothesis that individual differences in verbal memory span would predict success in second language vocabulary acquisition. The subjects were native Chinese speakers learning English as a foreign language at university in Taiwan. The subjects were given two memory tests adapted from the Wechsler Memory Scale-Third Edition; the first test involved the recall of a list of 12 verbally presented words, and the second test was a verbal paired associates test. Each test was given in Chinese and in English. The subjects' performances on the two tests were compared to see any significant correlation between scores in the Chinese version of the tests and the English version. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings for vocabulary learning are discussed.
