The Use of Authentic Reading Materials to Enhance the Eighth Grade Students’ Reading Comprehension Achievement at SMPN 1 Rambipuji

Abstract

This research was about classroom action research that was conducted at SMPN 1 Rambipuji. It was conducted collaboratively by the researcher and the English Teacher. It used authentic reading materials as materials to enhance the eighth grade Students’ Reading Comprehension Achievement. At the beginning of the research, the researcher conducted preliminary study by interviewing the English Teacher of the Eight grade students at SMPN 1 Rambipuji. Based on the interview, it was found that the eight grade students of SMPN 1 Rambipuji still had difficulties in reading comprehension. According to the English Teacher, it was only 16% who achieved the standard passing grade. The students’ average score was 52. In order to solve the students’ problem in reading comprehension, the selection of material used in teaching learning was very important. Since authentic reading materials were believed as one of materials that could help students to enhance their reading comprehension achievement, the researcher used them as the teaching materials. This research was conducted at SMPN 1 Rambipuji. The researcher used the eighth grade students especially VIII-D class in 2017/2018 academic year as participants of the research. The researcher used Classroom Action Research (CAR) as the research design. In the cycle model of CAR there were four stages of activity. The stages were planning the action, then, implementing the action, observation and evaluation, and the last was analysing and reflecting the action. The data collected in this research was gained by observing the students’ in the classroom and administering the reading comprehension test after implementing the action. Based on the results of data analysis and discussion, it was found that the students’ improved from 16% who achieved the standard passing grade with the average score 52 before implementing the action to 86% with the average score 78 after implementing the action. It can be concluded that authentic reading materials could enhance the students’ reading comprehension achievement. Since authentic reading materials could help students in comprehending the reading text and could enhance their reading comprehension achievement, the English teacher are suggested to use authentic materials as an option in teaching reading comprehension. Authentic reading materials were also easy to be understood because the content of the materials were related to the students’ real life.