| Foreword by Elisabet Service |
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| Acknowledgements |
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| Chapter 1: Introduction and Problem |
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1.1. Statement of Purpose |
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5 | (4) |
| Chapter 2: Theoretical Framework |
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9 | (10) |
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9 | (3) |
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12 | (7) |
| Chapter 3: Review of the Literature |
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3.1. L1 Working Memory Capacity |
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19 | (1) |
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3.2. L2 Working Memory Capacity |
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20 | (2) |
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3.3. Working Memory as a Valid L2 Construct |
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22 | (5) |
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3.4. The Phonological Loop |
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27 | (1) |
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3.5. The Phonological Loop and L1 Vocabulary Learning |
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28 | (2) |
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3.6. Effects of Wordlikeness on L1 Vocabulary Learning |
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30 | (2) |
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3.7. The Phonological Loop and L2 Vocabulary Learning |
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32 | (6) |
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3.8. Effects of Wordlikeness on L2 Vocabulary Learning |
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38 | (6) |
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3.9. The Phonological Loop and Acquisition of L1 Syntax |
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44 | (2) |
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3.10. The Phonological Loop and Acquisition of L2 Syntax |
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46 | (3) |
| Chapter 4: Research Questions and Hypotheses |
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49 | (4) |
| Chapter 5: Method |
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53 | (24) |
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53 | (2) |
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55 | (3) |
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58 | (16) |
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5.3.1. Background Questionnaire |
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58 | (1) |
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5.3.2. Nonword Repetition Measures |
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58 | (6) |
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5.3.2.1. Nonword Stimuli: Verification of Wordlikeness |
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60 | (4) |
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5.3.3. English (L2) Language Measures |
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64 | (10) |
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5.3.3.1. English L2 Proficiency |
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64 | (1) |
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5.3.3.2. Justification for Adopted L2 proficiency Measures |
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64 | (5) |
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5.3.3.3. English (L2) Vocabulary Measures |
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69 | (3) |
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5.3.3.3.1. Criteria for Selecting Vocabulary Items |
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71 | (1) |
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5.3.3.4. English (L2) Grammar/Syntax Measure |
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72 | (2) |
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5.3.4. Nonverbal Ability Measure |
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74 | (1) |
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74 | (3) |
| Chapter 6: Results and Discussion |
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77 | (36) |
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6.1. Designation of L2 proficiency Groups |
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78 | (2) |
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6.2. Arabic Versus English Nonword Repetition Task |
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80 | (1) |
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6.3. Change in Task Performance Over Time |
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81 | (3) |
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6.3.1. Nonword Repetition Tasks (ANWR, ENWR) |
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83 | (1) |
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6.3.2. L2 Tasks and Nonverbal Ability |
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84 | (1) |
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6.4. Differences in L2 Learning Gains Over Time |
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84 | (2) |
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86 | (5) |
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6.5.1. Partial Correlations |
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90 | (1) |
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6.6. Does Phonological Loop Function Significantly Predict L2 Proficiency at Both Time 1 and Time 2? |
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91 | (2) |
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6.7. Does Phonological Memory Predict Vocabulary Skill at Time 1 and Time 2? |
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93 | (4) |
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6.8. Does Phonological Memory Exert a Causal Influence on the L2? |
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97 | (11) |
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6.8.1. Cross-Lagged Correlations |
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98 | (10) |
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6.9. Does Phonological Memory Predict Absolute Increases in L2 Knowledge? |
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108 | (2) |
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6.10. Is There a Relationship Between Phonological Memory at Time 1 and Grammatical Ability at Time 2? |
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110 | (3) |
| Chapter 7: General Discussion and Conclusions |
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113 | (28) |
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7.1. The Connection Between Phonological Memory, Vocabulary Knowledge and L2 Development |
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114 | (7) |
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7.1.1. The Influence of Age on the Relation Between Phonological Memory and Vocabulary Learning |
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117 | (4) |
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7.2. The Developmental Relation Between Phonological Memory and Long-Term L2 Knowledge |
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121 | (7) |
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7.3. The Relation Between Phonological Memory and Grammar Ability |
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128 | (2) |
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7.4. Future Research Directions |
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130 | (8) |
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134 | (2) |
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7.4.2. Pedagogical Implications |
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136 | (2) |
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138 | (3) |
| Appendices |
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141 | (32) |
| Bibliography |
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173 | (16) |
| Index |
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189 | |
