Enhancing Students' Reading Comprehension Through Selected Reading Techniques at SMP Islam 2 Kota Ternate
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24114/kc9vze74Abstract
This research aimed to improve the reading comprehension of the second-grade students of SMP Islam 2 Kota Ternate through the use of the Reading technique. Reading is a fundamental language skill essential for students’ academic success, yet many Indonesian learners continue to struggle with comprehension, vocabulary, and motivation. Initial observations at SMP Islam 2 Kota Ternate revealed that students had limited vocabulary mastery, relied heavily on word-by-word translation, and showed low interest in reading activities. To address these issues, this study implemented Reading technique, a strategy designed to improve fluency, automaticity, and comprehension through multiple exposures to the same text. This classroom action research was conducted in two cycles, each consisting of two meetings. The participants were 28 students from Class IIB, selected because they demonstrated the lowest reading comprehension scores based on pre-observation and interviews. Data were collected through tests, observations, and interviews. The pre-test results indicated that only 10.71% of students achieved the passing grade (75), with an average score of 46.75, showing significant difficulties in understanding texts. After the implementation of the Repeated Reading technique across two cycles, the post-test results showed substantial improvement. A total of 89.7% of the students successfully reached or exceeded the minimum passing grade, and the class average increased to 80.07. Students also demonstrated higher confidence, better vocabulary recognition, improved fluency, and greater engagement during reading activities.
Keywords: Classroom Action Research; Reading Comprehension; Reading Techniques
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