Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
The present study aims to apply eye-tracking technologies to analyse the process of dictionary look-up by learners of English as a foreign language. An experiment was conducted to examine detailed processes of look-up in the microstructure. Several variables (the availability of supporting devices such as signposts or menus, different types of grammar codes, positions of target definitions) were carefully controlled to see how look-up behaviour would change in both monolingual and bilingual dictionary interfaces. The findings show that look-up processes within a microstructure are very complex, showing interactive effects among positions of target information within the microstructure, functions of supporting devices, and users’ proficiency levels. Pedagogical and methodological implications will be discussed.
Yukio Tono (Wed,) studied this question.