Eye-tracking insights into cognitive mechanisms in L2 reading

Abstract This study investigates the differential roles of working memory (WM) and comprehension monitoring (CM) in predicting L2 reading comprehension among Persian EFL learners across beginner and advanced proficiency levels. Utilizing a sample of 80 participants, comprising 40 beginners and 40 advanced learners, various cognitive measures including a Reading Span Test (RST), an Eye-movement Inconsistency Detection Task (measuring gaze durations), and a reading test (RT) were employed to assess working memory capacity (WMC), comprehension monitoring, and reading performance. Group differences were examined using univariate and multivariate analyses, and a hierarchical multiple regression was conducted using the full sample to examine the predictive contributions of WMC and CM and their interactions with proficiency group. The results indicated that while both WM and CM are integral to L2 reading comprehension, their relative contributions differ significantly between beginner and advanced learners. While WM plays a crucial role in L2 reading comprehension among beginners, comprehension monitoring becomes more predictive for advanced learners. Specifically, beginner learners with higher WM capacity demonstrated better reading performance. In contrast, advanced learners benefited significantly from effective comprehension monitoring, as evidenced by longer gaze durations correlating with higher reading scores. The study offers insights into the cognitive mechanisms underlying L2 reading and highlights the need for proficiency-specific instructional approaches, with implications for theory, practice, and future research.