Measuring Attention in Second Language Reading Using Eye-tracking: The Case of the Noticing Hypothesis

Taking Schmidt’s (1990) noticing hypothesis as point of departure this study aims to measure attention and learning gains during second language (L2) reading by making use of eye-tracking methodology. Relying on Robinson’s hierarchical memory model (1995, 2003), it is hypothesized that vocabulary le...

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Main Author: Emrah Dolgunsöz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2015-11-01
Series:Journal of Eye Movement Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://bop.unibe.ch/JEMR/article/view/2413
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author Emrah Dolgunsöz
author_facet Emrah Dolgunsöz
author_sort Emrah Dolgunsöz
collection DOAJ
description Taking Schmidt’s (1990) noticing hypothesis as point of departure this study aims to measure attention and learning gains during second language (L2) reading by making use of eye-tracking methodology. Relying on Robinson’s hierarchical memory model (1995, 2003), it is hypothesized that vocabulary learning and attention are closely associated. After a vocabulary pre-test, seventy-five learners of English read a standard text individually while their eye movements were being recorded followed by an immediate post-test. The results revealed that learners spent more time on unknown words than they did on familiar ones. Attention and learning gains also positively correlated; fixation values on an unknown word increased its further recognition probability in post-test. Finally, the findings revealed a cut-off point of approximately 450ms as an activation threshold for noticing. Eye-tracking as a technique to measure attention in second language acquisition (SLA) was also discussed.
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spelling doaj-art-a016fe412ae542999d347e53bbaad88a2025-08-20T03:18:55ZengMDPI AGJournal of Eye Movement Research1995-86922015-11-018510.16910/jemr.8.5.4Measuring Attention in Second Language Reading Using Eye-tracking: The Case of the Noticing HypothesisEmrah Dolgunsöz0Bayburt UniversityTaking Schmidt’s (1990) noticing hypothesis as point of departure this study aims to measure attention and learning gains during second language (L2) reading by making use of eye-tracking methodology. Relying on Robinson’s hierarchical memory model (1995, 2003), it is hypothesized that vocabulary learning and attention are closely associated. After a vocabulary pre-test, seventy-five learners of English read a standard text individually while their eye movements were being recorded followed by an immediate post-test. The results revealed that learners spent more time on unknown words than they did on familiar ones. Attention and learning gains also positively correlated; fixation values on an unknown word increased its further recognition probability in post-test. Finally, the findings revealed a cut-off point of approximately 450ms as an activation threshold for noticing. Eye-tracking as a technique to measure attention in second language acquisition (SLA) was also discussed.https://bop.unibe.ch/JEMR/article/view/2413second language readingeye-trackingnoticing hypothesisattention
spellingShingle Emrah Dolgunsöz
Measuring Attention in Second Language Reading Using Eye-tracking: The Case of the Noticing Hypothesis
Journal of Eye Movement Research
second language reading
eye-tracking
noticing hypothesis
attention
title Measuring Attention in Second Language Reading Using Eye-tracking: The Case of the Noticing Hypothesis
title_full Measuring Attention in Second Language Reading Using Eye-tracking: The Case of the Noticing Hypothesis
title_fullStr Measuring Attention in Second Language Reading Using Eye-tracking: The Case of the Noticing Hypothesis
title_full_unstemmed Measuring Attention in Second Language Reading Using Eye-tracking: The Case of the Noticing Hypothesis
title_short Measuring Attention in Second Language Reading Using Eye-tracking: The Case of the Noticing Hypothesis
title_sort measuring attention in second language reading using eye tracking the case of the noticing hypothesis
topic second language reading
eye-tracking
noticing hypothesis
attention
url https://bop.unibe.ch/JEMR/article/view/2413
work_keys_str_mv AT emrahdolgunsoz measuringattentioninsecondlanguagereadingusingeyetrackingthecaseofthenoticinghypothesis