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Is musical ability related to second-language acquisition? A meta-analysis

Thompson, Rachel M., Salig, Lauren K., Slevc, L. Robert·2025·Royal Society Open Science
DOI 10.1098/rsos.241193PMC PMC11732395

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Abstract

In our multicultural and interconnected world, the ability to learn new languages is important. However, there are significant differences in how successfully adults can learn aspects of non-native languages. Given robust relationships between musical ability and native-language processing, musical ability might also contribute to successful second-language acquisition. However, while several studies have assessed this relationship in various ways, the consistency and robustness of the relationship between musical ability and second-language learning remains unclear. Thus, we synthesized 184 effects across 57 independent studies ( n =3181) with a robust variance estimation multivariate meta-analysis, and we narratively summarized partial correlation effects across 12 studies. The available evidence suggests that musical ability is indeed positively related to second-language learning, even after factoring in publication bias revealed by the meta-analysis. Although future work with more diverse participant populations and methodologies is needed to further disentangle this relationship, it is apparent that individuals with better musical ability are generally more successful at second-language learning.

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Metadata

Authors
Thompson, R. M., Salig, L. K., & Slevc, L. R.
Affiliations
Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, University of Maryland
ORCID
Venue
Royal Society Open Science
Publisher
The Royal Society
Published
2025-01
Volume
12
Issue
1
ISSN
2054-5703
DOI
10.1098/rsos.241193
PMC
PMC11732395
Cited by
7
References
9
Language
en
Licence
Funders
  • William Orr Dingwall Foundation
  • Ann G. Wylie Dissertation Fellowship
  • National Science Foundation

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