Abstract
This article presents a comprehensive synthesis of the literature exploring the role of working memory in second language (L2) oral production. It systematically reviewed nine studies investigating the associations between working memory and L2 speaking, focusing on research foci, working memory measurement, speaking tasks, and performance. The synthesized results revealed a positive correlation between working memory and language production aspects, including accuracy, lexical complexity, and fluency. Learners with stronger working memory demonstrated superior performance, particularly in complex tasks. However, some studies did not find a significant predictive relationship, possibly due to sample homogeneity, sampling heterogeneity, or task complexity. This systematic review sheds light on the crucial role of working memory in L2 oral production and provides valuable insights for language educators and researchers.
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