BRINGING READING RESEARCH IN MULTILINGUAL NUSANTARA INTO A NEW DIRECTION THROUGH EYE-TRACKING

Abstract

Current understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying reading comprehension among multilinguals are typically limited to external observations of their ability to read and comprehend text. Additionally, descriptions of the nature of comprehension processes relied perilously on the use of memory taken after the reading process. In this article we introduce the potential of using eye tracking as a tool in collecting internal attention data for a deeper understanding of EFL text processing among multilinguals. The eye tracking procedures will enable researchers to combine perspectives collected from internal and external observations, to explicate and elucidate the complex cognitive processes of the multilingual when involved in reading. Since the use of the eye-tracking in reading research methodology is fairly new, particularly in multilingual contexts such as Malaysia and Nusantara in general, we will emphasize how progress has been achieved elsewhere in understanding text processing through the use of eye-tracking. The article will introduce relevant research projects that can be conducted using eye-tracking, after sketching the historical progression of eye-tracking research in the field. It concludes by suggesting that eye-tracking can provide a framework for studying the full range of the multilingual readers’ competencies in reading while expanding related theories about EFL reading.Keywords: External attention, eye-tracking, internal attention, oculomotor-behaviours, oral-comprehension and multilingual readersCite as: Mihat, W., Azman, H. & Soh, O.K. (2018). Bringing reading research in multilingual Nusantara into a new direction through eye-tracking. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 3(2), 107-123. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol3iss2pp107-123