1.

Background of Study

Language is a means of communication. Here, English is considered as a

foreign language. The purpose of language learning is to be able to use language for

communication. Therefore, language teaching should be devoted to the achievement

of ability to use language for communication. Reading is one of the four skills that

must be learned by the students in learning English beside speaking, listening, and

writing.

English is very important for all of us. As an International language, most of

people in the world use English to communicate each other. The role of english is so

great because it used in all aspects of human life.English is also can be a medium of

studying science, politics, economics, education, culture, and technology,. Another

fact of importance of English is that many occupations require to the people who

have of Competency in English

In Indonesia, English becomes the first foreign language that has been taught

at many levels education, from secondary up to tertiary education institution. In

recent years, a number of secondary schools have begun to introduce English into

their curriculum. Instead of compulsory subject in secondary school English is given

as a local content. It is stated clearly in the curriculum in secondary school that it is

given as a local content elected for the sub district secondary school. In the

meantime, it is given in the first, second, and thirth grade.

In the teaching and learning process, the teacher should be creative to find

some methods that make the students interested in learning. Teaching and learning by

using traditional technique by giving explanation only without seeing anything is not
effective, because it makes the students get bored. In learning english, there are four

skills that should be learned and mastered by the students of junior high school or

senior high school. They are listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Morever, one

of the important skills mentioned is reading (brown, 2001 : 51).

Reading is a process in which our mind translates printed material into the

idea that the writer is trying to tell or communicate with the reader. We do not really

know what happen in our nervous system when we read a page of printed materials,

but in contrast with the extreme complexity of the visual and the mental activit, the

aim of reading in fact is very simple.

Reading is very important to the students in schools, from elementary schools

to senior high schools and vocational high schools. As it is stated in Permendiknas

o.23 Tahun 2006, the aim of reading in the curriculum is to make students able to

comprehend the meaning of written language, both interpersonal and transactional.

Students are directed to understand many kinds of texts such as recount, descriptive,

and narrative. They are also expected to gain knowledge and information from the

texts. In fact, research on reading comprehension in Indonesia has revealed that

students comprehension in reading is low. The teacher only taught the students to

read the passages, finding the meaning of difficult words and answering exercises in

teachinglearning process.

Dechant (2002:2) state that the reading is a response that must be learned by

the students and is under control of the mechanismof motivation and reinforcement.

Reading is perceptual process, but it is also an associative proccess. It involve the

learner association of the spoken and the written word.

 Based on the explaination above, the writer has an expedition when he did a

teaching learning process especially in reading at SMP Negeri 1 Mila, the writer

found the students were still low in reading comprehension. There were many

problem that is found by the writer when he did a teaching learning process. First,

The weaknesses of students in reading, there are less motivated in studying English.

They feel that learning English is difficult. When they were given a text without any

illustration, they feel bored and usually stop to read the text. Automatically, it

influences their reading comprehension. They also get difficulty in understanding the

text because they still have limited vocabulary, spelling, and grammar. The writer

conclude a conclusion regard to these statement that the writer will apply a peer

assisted learning strategi to improve students reading comprehension.

Peer-assisted Learning Strategies can be briefly defined as the acquisition of

knowledge and skill through active helping and supporting among equal status or

matched companions. It involves people from similar social groupings who are not

professional teachers helping each other to learn and learning themselves by so

doing (Topping, K.J., Ehly, S.W.2001,p: 114 ). Meanwhile, in an electric journal

entitled The Reading Teacher Vol. 59, No. 8 May 2006, mentioned that PALS is a

multiple strategy program developed to improve reading comprehension for junior

high school students. It also focuses on teaching students a set of comprehension

strategies that can be used to help students understand any text they read.

Another result of peer assessment stated by Miranda (2009:1). She states that

using peer teaching techniques helps utilize all the resources available to a teacher.

Students understand how other students communicate. Additionally, how one student
internally assimilates information can be expressed to help other students understand

it better. Effective peer teaching techniques improve the overall learning environment

and success of all students when implemented properly.

Based on the explaination above, the writer decides that it is necessary to

conduct experimental research in this school about reading comprehension by using

Peer Assisted Learning Strategy method, therefore this title of this research

isImproving Students Reading Comprehension Through Peer Assisted

Learning Strategy (an experimental study at the second year students of SMP

Negeri 1 Mila).

2. Research Question

Based on the background above, the research question is :

Can peer assisted learning strategy improve students reading comprehension

at the second year of SMP Negeri 1 Mila ?

3. The objective of study

With the formulation of the problem above, the objective of the study is to

describe how Peer Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS) can improve students

reading comprehension of the second year of SMP Negeri 1 Mila.

4. The Hypothesis

Related to the background above, the writer formulated the hypothesis as

follow :

Peer Assisted Learning strategy improve students reading comprehension at

the second year of SMP Negeri 1 Mila.

5. The Scope of Study

PALS strategy is seen as a suitable technique to improve students reading

comprehension. It also has not ever been used by the teachers of SMP Negeri 1 Mila

as a technique in teaching reading. In light of this view, the writer conducted a

research study to fulfill his curiosity by focusing it on improving students reading

comprehension by using PALS in SMP Negeri 1 Mila.

5. The Significance of the study

5.1. Theoretically

The findings of the research will enrich the study in Foreign Language

Learning (FLL) and become a reference for the next relevant type of research.

5.2. Practically

a. For Teachers

This research can be used as a means to improve the students reading skill in

English teaching-learning process. Teachers will be more aware in creating suitable

techniques for improving students reading comprehension. Besides that, teachers

will get easier to motivate students to read English texts since the teacher always

monitor the students to complete their reading. Teacher can control their reading

comprehension improvement continuously.

b. For Second year Students of SMP Negeri 1 Mila.

This research will facilitate students for a better knowledge about reading. By

using peer-assisted learning strategies, students can be more enthusiastic and

interested in learning English reading skills. c. For English Departments/Schools

This study is expected to be a reference for the readers who want toimprove their

comprehension skills.

7. Definition of Key term

7.1. Reading Comprehension

According to Nuttal (2000:2) reading means a result of interaction between

the writers mind and the readers mind. It is the way how to the reader tries to get

the message or the intended meaning from the writer. In this process, the reader tries

to create the meanings intended by the writer, the reader can get the message, and the

writers meaning sense.

Grabe (2009: 15) states that, Reading is the strategic process in that a

number of the skills and processes used in reading call for effort on the part of the

reader to anticipate text information, selecting key information, organize and

mentally summarize information, monitor comprehension, repair comprehension

breakdowns, and match comprehension output to the reader goals.

7.2. Peer Assisted Learning

Peer-assisted Learning Strategies can be briefly defined as the acquisition of

knowledge and skill through active helping and supporting among equal status or

matched companions. It involves people from similar social groupings who are not

professional teachers helping each other to learn and learning themselves by so

doing (Topping, K.J., Ehly, S.W.2001,p: 114 ). Meanwhile, in an electric journal

entitled The Reading Teacher Vol. 59, No. 8 May 2006, mentioned that PALS is a

multiple strategy program developed to improve reading comprehension for

elementary and middle school students. It also focuses on teaching students a set of
comprehension strategies that can be used to help students understand any text they

read.

Through Peer Assisted Learning Strategy, the Students, together with the

teacher and others involved in the teaching and learning process should be aware of

the problem. The solution may take their participation to work. In this case, to solve

the students' problem in reading, the researcher and the teacher can use Peer-assisted

Learning Strategies to improvethe students motivation, participation and lead them

to get a better comprehension skill.

8. Research Methodology

8.1. Research Design

The recent study is an experimental research to find out the result of a certain

technique. According to hadi (1988: 56) that is an experimental design is one of the

precise methods to examine the cause and effect because of the fact, instruction

toward a group and experimental sample. The instructional activity is designed only

to teach reading comprehension of students by using Peer Assisted Learning Strategy

as a techniques toward the experimental group, the group of sample would have test

to measure the effect that students get after treatment. The result of the test would be

analyzed and compare using statistical computation.

This research design will present several characteristics; (1) it has two groups

of experimental subjects or treatment group and control group; (2) the two groups

compared with respect two measurements of observation on the dependent variable;

(3) both groups will be measured twice, the first measurement serve as the pre-test

and the second as the post-test; (4) measurement on the dependent variable for both
groups will be done at the same time with the same test; and (5) the experimental

group manipulated with particular treatment.

8.2. Population and Sample

Population

Population is represent entire/all subject research. Nawawi ( 2003) in

Iskandar ( 2009 : 118) population is grand total of subject research which can be

consisted of by the human being, object, animal, flora, symptom, assess the test or

event as data source owning certain characteristic in a research. While according to

Sudjana ( 2005 : 74) population is totality of all value which possible, result of

counting/calculating or measurement, quantitative and also qualitative hit the certain

characteristic from all clear and complete corps member is which wish learned by the

nature.

In this study, the population of the study includes all nine grade students of

the SMPN 1 Mila in the academic year 2016/2017. There are as the population and

for observation the samples are only 40 students consist of 2 classes namely

experimented class and control class SMPN 1 Mila.

Sample

Sample is shares or proxy from accurate population ( Arikunto, 2006 : 87).

While in big dictionary of Indonesian, sampel is an used by example of from the

lion's share. While according to Sugiyono ( 2003 : 56) sampel is " some of amount

and characteristic owned by population, As for becoming sampel of at this research is

all student of nine grade class.

 Suharsimi (2006) stated that if the subject is less than one hundred it is better

to take the entire subject. Furthermore, if the subject is more than one hundred it can

be taken between 10-15% or 20-25% or more that it. in this research the writer take

40 students as the sample. 20 students is students who join who experimental group

and 20 students as a control group. In experimental class the writer will treat students

reading comprehension by using Peer Assisted Learning Strategy and control group

will teach by a conventional method.

8.3. Instrument used in gathering data

In any scientific research, instrument for collecting data was absolutely

important. The accuracy of the result of research was mostly dependent on how

accurate the use of instrument. Before research carried out, the instrument for the

data collection should be well prepared.

Related to the research problems, the writer used reading test as an

instrument. Ary (1979: 216) states that a test is a set of stimuli present to an

individual in order to elicit responses on the basic of which a numerical score can be

designed. Moreover, Heaton (1975: 89) states that the test used must be appropriate

in term of our object, the dependable in the evidence provides, and applicable to our

particular situation. In this case, the researcher gave the students reading test in using

Think aloud strategy. The writer will give a test to experimental class and control

class through pre test and post test.

 Pre-test

It is the first method of data gathering is used by the writer. The writer give

pre test to both group as the sample of reaserch. Pre test which is aimed at knowing

the students reading abilities, before having treatment, the test is held by the writer.

The consists of pre test in experimental class and control class is 10 question of

multiple choice.

Post test

Post test is given after the writer give a treatment in experimental class and

control class. Finaly the students paper sheets will submited and the students. Result

are treat as the data of the study. The test is similiar to pre test. They are 10 question

of multiple choice.

8.4. Data Analysis

After obtaining the individual scores of the two group, the writer process the

data score with the formula of Sudjana (2005 : 239 ).

The writer analyzed using t-test according Sudjana (2005 : 239 ) is by using

the following formula :

x 1x 2
t= s 1+1
n1 n2

Information:

t = t calculated price

1 = average test scores of the experimental group

2 = average test scores than the control group

n1 = number of students experimental group

 n2 = number of student control group

To test must meet the following criteria : Accepted hypothesis if tcount

with ttable at significance level of 5% and rejected if tcount < with ttable , and in

this case the price ttabel can be obtained from the distribution list -t with degrees of

freedom : ( n1 + n2 ) - 2 .
 REFERENCES

Brown, H. Douglas. 2001. Language assesment and classroom practice. San

Fransisco; San Fransisco State University : Longman

Dechant,Emerald.2002.Reading Improvement in the Secondary School Englewood-

Cliffs,New jersey:Prentice hall Inc.

Departemen Pendidikan Nasional. (2006). Kurikulum Tingkat Satuan Pendidikan.

Jakarta: Depdiknas.

J.B Heaton, Writing English Language Tests, London: Longman, 1975

Topping, K.J. & Ehly, S.W. 2001. Peer Assisted Learning: A Framework for
Consultation. Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation.

Miranda, K. 2009. Effective Peer Teaching Technique. Retrieved on October 21,

2014 from http://www.eHow.edu/Home EducationTeaching/Methods &
Strategies/Methods Effective.htm

Nuttall, C. E. 1982. Teaching Reading Skills in A Foreign Language. London:

Heinemann Educational Books.

Sudjana. 2005. Metode Statistika. Bandung: Tarsito.

Suharsimi, 2006. Prosedur penelitian Suatu Pendekatan Praktek. Jakarta : Rineka

Cipta
 Pre test

Peter is the youngest in our family. He is fourteen years old and four years
younger than me. He has long, straight hair, bright eyes and a friendy smile.
Sometimes he is rather naughty at home, but usually does what he is asked to do.
Peter is interested in sports very much, and at school, he plays football and
tennis. He is the best badminton player in our family.
Answer the question below by choosing (x) a,b,c,d
1. how old is peter? He is .... years old
a. four
b. fourteen
c. forty
d. ten
2. The writer is.... years old
a. fourteen
b. sixteen
c. eighteen
d. nineteen
3. which of the following statement is not true about Peter ?
a. he has long hair and staight hair
b. he has bright eyes
c. he is interested in sports
d. he plays football and tennis
4. According to the passage, we know that Peter is.....
a. The writers youngest brother
b. The writers elder brother
c. A naughty
d. A friendly
5. It is implied in the passage that ......
a. Peter is naughty
b. Peter is lazy
c. Peter is unfriendly
d. Peter is dilligent
6. From the text, we may coclude that.....
a. Many people do not like Peter
b. People is older that the writer
c. Peter is a welcoming person
d. Peter is not dilligent at all
7. what is the mostly about ?
a. Peter
b. Peters hobby
c. Peters family
d. Peters elder brother
8. He is fourteen years old ..... Than me. The underline word refers to .....
a. Peter
b. The writer
c. The writers brother
d. The writers family
9. Peter is interested in sports very much, and at school he plays football and
tennis. The undrline phrase can be replaces by ......
a. Dislike sport
b. Really likes sport
c. Hates sport very much
d. Finds sport not really entertaining
10. but he usually does what he is asked to do The underlined phrase means .....
a. He does anything he wants
b. He always asks
c. He is lazy
d. He is dilligent
 Post test
Kediri is a name of a town. It is situated in avelley between the Kelud and
Wilis mountains and inhabitated by about 1.3 million people. I the center of the town
there is a large hill which is called the Dathok mountain. Because of the topography
of the region, kediri is called a chily town by the locals. There is a big river called
Brantas cutting off the center of the town.
Besides temples, Kediri is also famous for its product like cigarettes and a
special kind of tofu or bean curd. This highly nutritious food is a delicacy of kediri
and has a distinctive taste. The cigarette factory dominates the towns economy and
employs the majority of the women labor force. Kediri and the cigarette factory are
inseperable and it is considered the biggest cigarette factory in indonesia. Most of the
local people work in this factory. Those who do not work here are farmers or traders.

Answer the questions below by choosing (x) a,b,c,d

1. what does the above text tell us about ?
a. The history of kediri
b. The famous product of kediri
c. The description of kediri
d. The people of kediri
2. those who do not work here..... (Last sentence)
The underline word refers to.....
a. The local people
b. The factory worker
c. The farmer
d. The traders

I have a spcial friends. She is my classmate and sits beside me. Her name is
Rohmi. Rohmi is a quite girl and very simple on the look. However, i really adore
her. She is not only kind but also tough.
Rohmi comes from a very simple family. Her father is a predicab driver and
her mother has passed away. She has a younger brother. His name is Rahmat. In
order to help their father, Rohmi and her brother work part-time to earn some money.
Rohmi sells food during our class break, while her brother sells newspapers and
magazines after school.
One thing that i always admire about her is that she can manage her time
well, and she always looks cheerful.

Answer the questions below by choosing (x) a,b,c,d

3. what does the second paragraph tell you abput ?
a. Rohmi and her family
b. Rohmi and her father
c. Rohmi and her brother
d. Rohmi and he friends
4. ......Rohmi and her brother work part-time to earn some money.
What do the underlined words mean ?
a. Work for the whole of working week
 b. Work for only part of each day or week
c. Work for the purpose of getting money as much as possible
d. Work for family
5. where did the writer sit ?
a. In front of Rohmi
b. Behind rohmi
c. Next to rohmi
d. Far for rohmi

Mr Tucker is the headmaster of my school. He does not wear glasses. His

eyes always frighten me even when i refuse to fce them. They are sharp, hard and
cold, and he use them like a whip.
He always washes his hand in an enamel basin in the corner of the room.
After he has washed them, he will walk over to his desk and stand behind is looking
at the pupils while he dries his hands on a small, white towel. He dries each finger
separetely, beginning with the first finger. His finger are long and white. He rubs
them briskly without loosing the effect of the delibaration and as he rubs them, he
looks at us with his eyes.
No one moves while he dries his hands, no one speaks. When he finishes, he
will fold the towel and put it in the desk drawer. Then, he will awkwardly smile at us.
He really terrifies me.

Answer the questions below by choosing (x) a, b, c, d

6. What is teh purpose of the text?

a. To terrify the readers
b. To describe the writers headmaster
c. To promote the writers headmaster career
d. To inform the readers about a terrifying school

7. where does Mr. Tucker usually wash his hands?

a. Corner of the room
b. In front of the room
c. Besides of the room
d. Behind of the room

8. he dries each finger seperately.......

The underlined word has similiar meaning to.....
a. Wash
b. Fold
c. Divide
d. Corner

Doraemaon is one of the characters in japanese mangga series created by

Fujiko Fujio. Doraemon is a robotic cat. He has small body and white hands and feet.
Although he can hear perfectly well, doraemon has no ears.
 Doraemon prosses a large pocket that can produce many gadgets from the
future. The pocket is called yojigen-pocket, or fourth-dimensional pocket.
Doraemons favorite food is dorayaki, a japanese treat filled wth red bean paste.
This robotic cat has the tendency to panic during emergencies. In an
emergency situation , he will frantically pull out every neccessary gadget from his
pocket. Nevertheless, doraemon is a good cat. He always help Nobita.

9. what does text maily talk about?

a. Doraemon
b. Fujiko Fujio
c. Robotic Cats
d. Nobita

10. ..... he will frantically pull out every unnecessary .... (paragraph 3)
The underlined word can be the best replaced by
a. Happily
b. Calmly
c. Worriedly
d. Dilligently