IMPROVING THE READING SKILL OF GRADE TEN STUDENTS OF SMK MUHAMMADIYAH 1 WATES THROUGH STORY MAPPING TECHNIQUE

Abstract

The nature of this study is action research. The aim of this research is to improve the reading skill through story mapping technique for tenth grade students of SMK Muhammadiyah 1 Wates.  The subjects of this research were 17 students of class X AP 2 (Office Administration) of SMK Muhammadiyah 1 Wates.  This research consisted of four procedures and was conducted in two cycles. The procedures were planning, action, observation, and reflection. The researcher used both qualitative and quantitative data analysis. In qualitative data analysis, the data were collected through interview, observation, and documentation. The instruments in collecting data were interview guideline, field notes, and camera. The techniques of obtaining the data were interviewing the English teacher and students, observing students with five senses, writing field notes, and taking pictures. The data were in the form of interview transcripts, field notes, and photographs. In quantitative data analysis, the data were collected through conducting reading tests to the students. The instrument in collecting data was a pre- and post- test. In analyzing the data, the researcher collected students’ score of reading pre- and post-test then compared the mean scores. The results of qualitative data analysis showed that the students could engage more with the lesson through a series of activities, easily comprehend the text through vocabulary building, be more interested in reading texts with interesting topics given, and rely less on the teacher through having group works. Students could comprehend the text through paraphrasing and answering questions using information from the text through story mapping technique. The result of quantitative data analysis showed that students’ reading skill had improved. The average score obtained from the pre- test was 39.12 and the average score obtained from the post- test was 50.00. Students’ score in the post-test improved 27.81% from the pre-test. From the research findings, it is concluded that the use of story mapping technique could improve the students’ reading skill.

Keywords: reading skill, story mapping technique, action research