SUH KEONG KWON (CHINJU NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION )

AN EYE-TRACKING STUDY ON L2 LEARNERS' COGNITIVE PROCESSES INVOLVED IN COMPREHENDING MULTIMODAL INPUT : METHODOLOGIES AND TEACHING APPROACHES

This paper investigates the cognitive processes involved in comprehending multimodal input among young EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners using eye-tracking methodology. A quasi-experimental mixed method design was used to investigate how young L2 learners engage with listening and reading materials in a multimodal format. A total of 38 pupils from two elementary schools in South Korea participated in the experiment. The participants were presented with two multimodal inputs in two different conditions: audiovisuals only and text-supported modes. Immediately after the reading task, the participants were given a list of comprehension questions associated with the input. Following the comprehension check, retrospective stimulated-recall interviews were conducted to triangulate and validate the participants’ viewing behaviors. Results indicate that participants focused significantly more on the text than the accompanying visuals and demonstrated better comprehension test results in the text-supported mode. Most participants reported that the visuals were helpful, but the presence of text-support input aided them to comprehend better. A few low-achieving participants struggled to comprehend the audiovisual input in both conditions due to their lack of language ability. These results emphasize the importance of incorporating listening-while-viewing and reading-while-viewing teaching materials in early language learning contexts, highlighting when and how these materials should be utilized effectively.

Suh Keong Kwon is an assistant professor at Chinju National University of Education. Suh Keong does research in Language Testing. He received his PhD degree at University of Bristol. He has published numerous research articles in established journals, such as Language Testing, System, Language Learning and Technology, and Language Testing in Asia.