Multimedia Computer‐Assisted Reading in Business Chinese

ABSTRACT  The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of multimedia computer-assisted reading in Business Chinese. In this study, the software “A Multimedia Chinese Reader for Advanced Students” was utilized in the elementary Business Chinese class at Purdue University. Experimental in-class and multimedia computer-assisted readings were conducted to examine the effectiveness of multimedia computer-assisted reading in comparison with the conventional paper-pen-dictionary reading method. The study results showed that computer-assisted reading is much more effective in improving students' reading efficiency and in enhancing students' comprehension of Business Chinese articles than the conventional reading method. Such factors of the multimedia technology as speed, electronic dictionary, and sound effects contributed considerably to the students' reading efficiency. This study concluded that reading proficiency of second-year Business Chinese learners can be much more efficiently achieved with the assistance of multimedia technology.