THE USE OF THINK PAIR SHARE WITH PICTURE TO IMPROVE READING COMPREHENSION OF THE EIGHTH-GRADE STUDENTS OF SMP NEGERI 6 DENPASAR IN ACADEMIC YEAR 2022/2023

Reading is an important skill in language learning. Through reading, students can obtain information and gain knowledge, especially about a subject that will be studied. Preliminary observation showed that most of VIII-5 students at SMP Negeri 6 Denpasar in academic year 2022/2023 faced problems in comprehending and understanding the reading text 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 SMP Negeri 6 Denpasar can be improved through Think Pair Share with Picture. Thus, to achieve the objective, the researcher conducted a classroom action research which was done in two cycles. The research instruments, tests and questionnaire, were administered to collect the required data. The data were then analyzed by comparing the results of the pre-test and post-tests which showed there were significant improvements of the subjects’ mean score from the pre-test to post-tests. As the supporting data, the questionnaire was also administered at the end of the last cycle, and the results showed positive responses on the implementation of Think Pair Share with Picture. Based on the results of the research instruments, it could be concluded that reading comprehension of the eighth-grade students of SMP Negeri 6 Denpasar in academic year 2022/2023 can be improved through Think Pair Share with Picture.