The present study is part of a larger scale research that investigates the relationship between working memory capacity, pre-task planning, and L2 speech performance. The aim of the study was to analyze 1) the relationship between working memory capacity and L2 speaking performance in spontaneous conditions and 2) the relationship between working memory capacity and L2 speaking performance in planned conditions. L2 speech performance was analyzed in terms of fluency, accuracy and complexity. Results indicate a complex relationship between working memory capacity and L2 speech performance. The correlational analysis reveals that a) there are significant correlations between working memory capacity and accuracy in spontaneous conditions; b) there are significant correlations between working memory capacity, fluency and complexity in planned conditions. The results are discussed according to Engle, Kane, & Tuholski (1999), Fortkamp (1999, 2005), Foster & Skehan (1996), Menhert (1998) e Yuan & Ellis (2003).
working memory; L2 speech production; planning
