The phonological loop is a component of Baddeley’s model of working memory, which deals with sound or phonological information. It consists of two parts: a short-term phonological store with auditory memory traces which are subject to rapid decay, and an articulatory rehearsal component (sometimes called the articulatory loop) which can revive the memory traces. Any auditory verbal information is assumed to automatically enter into the phonological store. Visually presented language can be transformed into phonological code by silent articulation, and thereby be encoded into the phonological store. The phonological loop may play a key role in the acquisition of vocabulary, particularly in early childhood. It may also be vital to learning a second language.