Can we detect English proficiency through reading behavior? A preliminary study

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2016

Authors

Silva, IG (Author) Other; Carla Teixeira Lopes (Author) FEUP; Ellison, M (Author) Other

Conference proceedings International

Title: 11a Conferencia Ibérica de Sistemas y Tecnologías de Información

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 1 Citation

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00K-S7M

DOI: 10.1109/cisti.2016.7521498

Abstract (EN): If it were possible to automatically detect proficiency in languages using data from eye movements, new levels of customizing computer applications could possibly be achieved. An example in case is web searches where suggestions and results could be adjusted to the user's knowledge of the language. The objective of this study is to compare the reading habits of users with high and low English language proficiency, having in mind the possible automatic detection of the English proficiency level through reading. For this purpose, a study was conducted with two types of user, those with a high level of proficiency (Proficient Users), and those with low proficiency (Basic Users) in the English language. An eye-tracker was used to collect users' eye movements while reading a text in English. Results show that users with high proficiency engage in more careful reading. In contrast, low English proficiency users take more time to read, revisit sentences and paragraphs more often, have more and longer fixations and also a higher number of saccades. As expected, these users have more difficulties in understanding the text.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6