AUTHENTIC TEXTS FOR CRITICAL READING ACTIVITIES

Ila Amalia

doi:10.30870/jels.v1i1.686

Abstract

This research takes an action research aimed at promoting critical reading (“thinking” while reading) skills using authentic materials among the students. This research also aims to reveal the students perception on using critical reading skills in reading activities. Nineteen English Education Department students who took Reading IV class, participated in this project. There were three cycles with three different critical reading strategies were applied. Meanwhile, the authentic materials were taken from newspaper and internet articles. The result revealed that the use of critical reading strategies along with the use of authentic materials has improved students’ critical reading skills as seen from the improvement of each cycle - the students critical reading skill was 54% (fair) in the cycle 1 improved to 68% (average) in cycle 2), and 82% (good) in cycle 3.. In addition, based on the critical reading skill criteria, the students’ critical reading skill has improved from 40% (nearly meet) to 80% (exceed). Meanwhile, from the students’ perception questionnaire, it was shown that 63% students agreed the critical reading activity using authentic text could improve critical thinking and 58% students agreed that doing critical reading activity could improve reading comprehension. The result had the implication that the use of authentic texts could improve students’ critical reading skills if it was taught by performing not lecturing them. Selectively choosing various strategies and materials can trigger students’ activeness in responding to a text, that eventually shape their critical reading skills.

Highlights

Having critical reading skills is very important especially for university students
As one of the English skills, reading plays an important role for mostly university students, for understanding the materials given by the lecturers, and for comprehending any informative texts that they find in their daily lives
The first cycle becomes a continuing, or iterative, spiral of cycles which repeated until the action researcher has achieved a satisfactory outcome and feels it is time to stop

Summary

Introduction

Having critical reading skills is very important especially for university students These skills are needed for learning the lesson and for everyday life. As one of the English skills, reading plays an important role for mostly university students, for understanding the materials given by the lecturers, and for comprehending any informative texts that they find in their daily lives. It is becoming very important since the era of globalization and free market has demanded the students to be more competitive, competent, and critical.

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Conclusion