The Effects of Typographic Features in Timed Reading Comprehension on Arab EFL Learners

The visual characteristics of timed English reading comprehension texts can impact Arab learners who are used to reading from right to left (because of their mother tongue Arabic). The present paper is an experimental study consisting of multiple reading comprehension tasks that examine different text layout variables, namely: interlinear spacing, font size, paragraph distinguishing numbers, and right margin alignment. Two experiments were set up to investigate the effects of visual text layout on reading efficiency. The participants (61 females and 59 males) are students from the English Department at the College of Basic Education, Kuwait. Both reading comprehension experiments were followed by group discussions to obtain qualitative insights of students’ text layout reading preferences. Excel Sheet was utilized to process all quantitative data. The findings demonstrate that students perform better with font size (12pt.), compressed single interlinear spacing, and reading comprehension passages with numbered paragraphs. Moreover, not only were students’ reading performances impaired by right rag alignment texts due to the habitual direction of reading Arabic from right to left, but also the students apparently favored paper-based reading comprehension tests in time-sensitive conditions. Future research could consider more seriously comparative studies between computer-based versus paper-based mediums of assessment, especially in terms of timed reading comprehension tests.