The Effects of Chunking Instruction on Eye Movements and Reading Comprehension of EFL Science and Engineering Students

Abstract

English reading comprehension skills are essential for science and engineering students to deepen their knowledge in specialized fields. This study examines the effects of chunking instruction on comprehension, reading speed, and eye movement among 19 university students. The results show improved comprehension for beginner-level texts after the instruction, though no significant effects were observed for advanced-level texts. Eye-tracking data suggest that chunking instruction influences the reading process, with its effectiveness varying based on passage difficulty. These findings indicate the potential of chunking instruction as an effective strategy for enhancing reading comprehension among science and engineering students. Keywords : English education, Reading instruction, Chunking, Eye tracking