This study investigates what specific nonverbal behaviors L2 language speakers attend to in a video-based listening test. Thirty-two participants from a large Midwestern university were recruited to participate in this study. They were asked to watch three short video-based lectures that contained different types of nonverbal behavior, complete a written free recall immediately after each video, and participate in an individual interview. Eye tracking results demonstrate that participants fixated mostly on the lecturers' faces (71.12%) while watching the video, then eyes (41.48%), mouths (13.63%), with gestures occupying the least of dwell times (2.03%). Interview data combined with free recall scores revealed that participants paid attention to gestures in varying degrees. Different types of nonverbal behaviors differentially affected how the participants engaged with the lectures. The study corroborates others that conclude that nonverbal behavior is a natural part of processing aural information and should be included as a part of L2 listening assessment.
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