In recent years, the demand for effective English language instruction tailored to specific academic and professional fields has increased, especially in highly technical disciplines like chemical engineering. Traditional language teaching methods often fall short in addressing the unique vocabulary, concepts, and communication styles essential for mastery in specialized domains. This study explores the design and optimization of short educational videos as an innovative tool for teaching specialized English in chemical engineering. The objective was to determine the most effective video characteristics—such as length, content focus, visual aids, and pacing—that enhance comprehension and retention of specialized terminology and concepts among chemical engineering students.

A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative assessments of student performance before and after exposure to various video formats, with qualitative feedback gathered through focus groups and interviews. Videos were created with varying lengths (1 to 5 minutes), different levels of technical complexity, and diverse multimedia elements including animations and real-world footage.

Findings indicate that short videos, ideally between 3 to 4 minutes, featuring clear visual explanations alongside concise narration, significantly improve students’ understanding and engagement. Additionally, integrating contextual examples relevant to chemical engineering practice further enhanced vocabulary retention and practical application skills. The study also highlights the importance of pacing to balance technical detail with cognitive load, suggesting that carefully optimized videos can serve as a powerful supplement to traditional classroom instruction.