Eye-tracking

Abstract Eye-tracking allows researchers to record eye movements while processing visual stimuli (text, images, video), providing a direct measure of attention and processing effort. It has gained popularity in applied linguistics and has quickly become a main data collection method in our field. While current eye-tracking research is conducted in laboratory settings with specialized hardware, technological advancements are leading to improvements in web-based eye-trackers. This chapter provides an introduction to the technique and an overview of how eye-tracking has been used in applied linguistics research, identifying commonly researched topics and questions. It also provides a discussion of main steps in the implementation of eye-tracking studies, highlighting key considerations in data collection and data analysis procedures. The chapter also showcases key eye-tracking studies that have explored a range of topics in applied linguistics, including language learning, language assessment, and bilingualism. Finally, it discusses some of the main methodological challenges in the use of this data collection method and identifies directions for future research.