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Using Eye Tracking to Investigate Strategies Used by ESL Learners in Reading a Scientific Text with Diagram

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Language Learning with Technology

Abstract

This paper investigated the strategies used by Malaysian English as Second Language learners when reading a Biology passage in English accompanied with a diagram. We first identified the reading strategies employed by the learners before examining the effectiveness of the various reading strategies on comprehension. We also examined the role of English proficiency in influencing the strategies employed during reading of the illustrated passage.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. HELP University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Siew Ming Thang

  2. Centre for Research in Language and Linguistics, Universiti Kebangsaan, Bangi, Malaysia

    Nurjanah Mohd Jaafar

  3. Department of Electrical Engineering, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Hong-Fa Ho

  4. Abedeen Academy, Cyberjaya, Malaysia

    Noor Baizura Abdul Aziz

Authors
  1. Siew Ming Thang
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  2. Nurjanah Mohd Jaafar
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  3. Hong-Fa Ho
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  4. Noor Baizura Abdul Aziz
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Siew Ming Thang .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of English, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Lindsay Miller

  2. School of Foreign Languages, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, China

    Junjie Gavin Wu

Appendices

Appendix A

Comprehension Questions—Please state Yes/No for each question.

  1. 1.

    Human reaction to fear is for survival purposes. No (Text-based question).

  2. 2.

    The subcortical pathway allows the brain to respond quickly to danger. Yes (Text-based question).

  3. 3.

    The pathway that enables a person to form an accurate image of the stimulus is first sent to the visual cortex and then to the thalamus. No (Pathway question).

  4. 4.

    When a human faced fear, the stimulus is sent to the thalamus and directed to the amygdala and then brain stem to produce a quick reaction. Yes/No Yes (Pathway question).

  5. 5.

    Amygdala can be described as the converging point of the pathways. Yes/No Yes (Integrating question).

Appendix B

Descriptors of scores in MUET as adapted from the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (Malaysian Examinations Council, 2019).

Band

Descriptor for reading

5

• Can understand long and complex factual and literary texts

• Appreciate distinctions of style

• Can understand specialized articles and longer technical instructions even when they do not relate to their field

4

• Can read texts concerned with contemporary problems in which the writer adopt particular stances or view points

 

• Can understand contemporary literary prose

3

• Can understand texts consisting mainly of high-frequency everyday or job-related language

 

• Can understand descriptions of events, feelings, and wishes in personal letters

2

• Can read very short, simple texts

• Can read specific, predictable information in simple everyday material such as advertisements, prospectuses, menus, and timetables and can understand short simple personal letters

1

• Can understand familiar names, words, and very simple sentences, for example on notices and posters or in catalogues

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Thang, S.M., Jaafar, N.M., Ho, HF., Abdul Aziz, N.B. (2021). Using Eye Tracking to Investigate Strategies Used by ESL Learners in Reading a Scientific Text with Diagram. In: Miller, L., Wu, J.G. (eds) Language Learning with Technology. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2697-5_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2697-5_15

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-16-2696-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-16-2697-5

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