Visual scanning and pupil dilation in second language acquisition and translation Tasks
Year: 2017
Type: preprint
Abstract: Eye movements and pupil dilation are neurophysiological measures of cognitive workload. Cognitive workload is defined as the amount of mental effort needed to execute a task. This study focuses on the neurophysiology of second language acquisition to better understand how students learn a second language. If we can demonstrate that cognitive workload is directly related to the level of experience with Spanish as a second language, future studies will be designed that will use cognitive workload as a means of student learning and teaching strategies. Novice and experienced Spanish speakers enrolled in our classes were asked to complete a translation task that is similar in nature to activities they are normally given in an educational setting. The specific aims were: 1. To compare eye movements and pupil dilation in novice and experienced Spanish speakers while performing a translation task. 2. To investigate the effect of a semester course of Spanish on visual scanning and pupil dilation. In the first case, we verified that visual scanning patterns and pupil dilation in experienced Spanish speakers were more efficient than in novice Spanish speakers. However, in the second case, we discovered that the students showed more pupil dilation in translation tasks after a full semester of Spanish studies. Based on the data, this study will explain the possible reasons for these results and contribute to the ongoing investigation of the neurophysiological mechanisms of second language skill acquisition.
Institutions: Augusta University, University of Kansas Medical Center
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W3004623310