NEWSPAPER ARTICLE AS READING MATERIAL TO IMPROVE READING ABILITY IN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Rico Ady S

State University of Surabaya

ABSTRACT

Newspaper is current, constant source for information abaout events that is relatively inexpensive and easily available. In addition, it can acommodate a wide variation in reading abilities.

Newspaper today is an integral part of our society. It is part of the mass communications industry; which also includes magazines, books, films, radio and television. These mass media make up a vast network of information suppliers that serve society in many ways. They serve in four ways: they inform, entertain, influence, and contribute to the economic system. The information function of newspaper is the most obvious one. Without newspaper, we know only about what we actually experience and what we hear from family members and gossiping neighbors.

Beside to inform some events. It means that newspaper is a good source of reading material that suit the curriculum and also provides the students knowledge of current issues. A good newspaper try to provide as wide a variety of opinions and topics as possible to help readers get the information they need to make up their minds and learn what others think abaout the crucial issues of the day.

INTRODUCTION

In English teaching learning process, reading dominates all of the activities, and other English subject such as writing is usually presented in the reading comprehension test. Includes the other skills too, listening and speaking are using reading in their presents. In other words, during the time of teaching and learning activities, reading must be involved.

Although the activity just read a word or a sentence. So, reading comprehension skill is basic skill in learning English, because every activity in class involves reading (Grellet, 1996: 8).

In fact, from the exercises given to the students in some senior high schools, many of them are still find difficulties in comprehending the reading text.

Teacher must be creative to solve this problem above. Creating an active classroom has become a demand for teacher now days, especially those who really realize the positive influence of it to the student. Papilia (in Rivers, 1987:77) suggests that, in reading activities the teacher will normally consider whether student will more benefit in their own pace. Dillon (1994:111) points out that, small group working technique can be used as an effective technique for five types of students learning outcomes namely; general subject matter mastery, problem-solving ability, moral development, attitude change and development, and communication skill.