Parsed Text Format Versus Regular Block Format in Online Extensive Reading

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of online extensive reading in a syntactically parsed text format compared to regular block format on speed, retention, and proficiency in English reading among Japanese learners of English. A syntactically parsed text format breaks sentences of a text into smaller groups of words or chunks with the intention of increasing the ease of reading. For one academic year, 289 participants at a public university in Japan read English texts of their choosing online in either a parsed format or regular block format. The results showed no significant differences between formats on any of the variables of interest. This suggests that reading in a parsed text format neither hinders nor enhances reading ability or proficiency growth among EFL learners whose first language is linguistically distant from English. Evidence emerged, however, that the reading itself had promoted a significant increase in reading proficiency for both groups.