The effect of Rapid Serial Visual Presentation Technology (RSVP) in the form of subtitles on enhancing EFL learners’ online reading speed, motivation, and attitudes

Abstract

The current study aimed at enhancing online reading speed and motivation of EFL learners through subtitled series as RSVP. For this purpose, 90 learners were divided into three groups: two experimental groups and one control group. The study follows a pre-post experimental mixed-method design. The results were statistically analyzed by using the one-way analysis of variance to compare the mean scores of the reading speed post-tests among groups and the t-test to compare the mean scores of the pre-post reading speed tests. To test online reading motivation, a 38-item questionnaire was prepared. Results revealed no significant differences between the two experimental groups on online reading speed tests and online reading motivation. However, there were significant differences between the pre and post online reading speed tests. A qualitative analysis was used to analyze learners’ attitudes toward using subtitled movies to enhance their online reading speed and motivation. Results showed that majority of students had positive attitudes toward subtitled movies. Accordingly, discussion and interpretation of these results were provided.