IMPROVING READING COMPREHENSION OF THE EIGHTH-GRADE STUDENTS OF SMPN 5 LANGKE REMBONG IN ACADEMIC YEAR 2021/2022 THROUGH KWL STRATEGY COMBINED WITH PICTURE

The present study which made use of an classroom action research was intended to figure out whether or not reading comprehension of the eighth-grade students of SMPN 5 Langke Rembong can be improved. Preliminary research showed that most of VIII D students at SMPN 5 Langke Rembong in academic year 2019/2020 faced problems in reading comprehension especially identifying general information, specific information, textual meaning, and textual reference. Moreover, the research objective was to know whether or not reading comprehension of the eighth-grade students of SMPN 5 Langke Rembong can be improved through KWL Strategy. Based on the result of the pre-test the mean score of the students was 53.75, which was carried out in the pre-cycle, it showed that the subjects were below the success indicator and had problems in reading comprehension. The result showed that there was significant improvement concerning the subjects’ ability in reading. In post-test I, the mean score of the students was 66.56 and in post-test II the mean score of the students was 76.81. The researcher administrated questionnaire in order to know the subjects’ responses toward the implementation of KWL Strategy. The subjects also responded positively toward the implementation of KWL Strategy. Based on the results of the research instruments, it could be concluded that reading comprehension of the eighth-grade students of SMPN 5 Langke Rembong in academic year 2021/2022 can be improved through KWL Strategy.