The effects of chunking strategy on second language reading comprehension

In this research, the effect of chunking strategy, one of the reading strategies for reading comprehension, on reading comprehension of French texts has been studied.The research was carried out in two groups of preparation classroom students at Anadolu University, Faculty of Education, Department of French Language Education, in spring semester of 2008-2009 Academic Year. The students were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. In the present research, which was carried out with 40 students in total pretest-posttest control group design was used. In the experimental group?s lessons chunking strategy was taught by the instructor and used by the students, while in the control group?s lessons this strategy was neither taught nor used. T-test was used in order to test the hypothesis. In order to examine the results of the empiric procedure in detail, line graphic was applied for descriptive analysis to the experimental and control groups. Also an opinion questionnaire consisting of open-ending questions was applied in order to get the experimental group students? opinions about reading lessons in which chunking strategy was employed (strategy training and use). It is possible to sum up the findings of the research by following articles:1. When the results of the research were studied, between the experimental group for which chunking strategy was employed and the control group for which the current strategy was not employed there was a meaningful difference in favor of the experimental group. In other words, when compared to teaching reading without chunking strategy employment, chunking strategy employment improved the students? reading comprehension in the second language, French.2. When the results of the research were studied, it was observed that empiric procedure (employing chunking strategy) created a meaningful difference between pretest-posttest scores of the experimental group. This situation indicates that chunking strategy is effective on reading comprehension in the second language, French.3. When the results of the research were studied, it was also observed that employing chunking strategy created a meaningful difference in the test scores of the experimental group?s successful students (the students whose reading comprehension is at high level). This situation shows that chunking strategy is effective on successful students? reading comprehension in the second language, French.4. When the results of the research were studied, it was also observed that employing chunking strategy created a meaningful difference in test scores of the experimental group?s moderately successful students (the students whose reading comprehension is at moderate level). This situation shows that chunking strategy is effective on moderate students? reading comprehension in the second language, French.5. When the results of the research were studied, it was also observed that employing chunking strategy created a meaningful difference in the test scores of the experimental group?s insufficient students (the students whose reading comprehension is at low level). This situation shows that chunking strategy is effective on insufficient students? reading comprehension in the second language, French.6. When the results of the research were studied, the chunking strategy employed experimental group students? opinions about the reading lessons in which chunking strategy was employed and the reading lessons in which chunking strategy was not employed indicate that students? interests rose in the reading lessons in which chunking strategy was employed.7. When the results of the research were studied, in the questionnaire of the chunking strategy employed experimental group students? opinions about the reading lessons in which chunking strategy was employed, they expressed that their reading speed was improved by the help of employing chunking strategy. In other words, it can be assumed that using chunking strategy improved students? reading speed.