1 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Background of The Study
Reading Comprehension is something that is important in our daily lives, because by reading we got the purpose and intent of a text made by the author, such as text in books, magazines, newspapers, comics and others. Even nowadays, to get information and communication only through smartphones using the Whatsapp application and also certain websites to get the latest news information. But of course all of that remains relevant to the writing, this shows that reading comprehension is very necessary in obtaining information and understanding the meaning contained. Reading is not an easy thing for everyone, certain factors, such as the type of text, methods and strategies become problems in reading. Because reading is not just making a sound when reading. But reading Comprehension is also about understanding the intent and meaning of a particular written text.
Reading is a skill must be possessed by a student to support better and more focused academic learning.
Students' reading skills are more focused on reading comprehension, especially in the junior high school curriculum, and until now there are still students who of course are still lacking in reading comprehension. There are some students whose motivation in reading is still low and still has difficulty in understanding the text they are reading. This is evident from student learning outcomes, such as test scores and school assignments. This could be the reason that the teaching and
learning process so far has not been successful. Reading is related to the way a teacher teaches, the teacher's role is very influential in making students better at reading and understanding the text they read. A teacher must be able to make the learning fun so that students are enthusiastic in learning which will affect the results of a student in learning and those are all the ways to improve students’ reading comprehension. .
Based on the observation from the researcher in eight grade at SMPN 10 Tanjungpinang. The researcher found several reading comprehension problems in students. There are some students who still have not achieved MMC (Minimum Mastery Criteria) in English subjects. They are still lacking in reading comprehension. Then, learning motivation is still lacking from within students.
Therefore, if students are given learning materials, students are often confused about completing the learning materials.
Success in the learning process of students depends on how a teacher teaches in the classroom. A good teacher is not just teaching in the classroom, but a good teacher must be able to ensure that students get useful knowledge from the learning that has been carried out previously. A teacher must be creative and able to create a lively and fun learning so that students are interested in learning, with this students are motivated to be more active in learning. Therefore, learning with Webtoon media is very appropriate to overcome this problem.
Webtoon is an online comic that can be one way to earn the attention of students in today's era, namely the era of technology that is developing so fast
(Rafida, 2023). Webtoon are a collection of several images consisting of recount text dialogues that tell about an imaginary story, Webtoon is a online comic can be read with digital or electronic devices such as smartphones and laptops. Webtoon can also be displayed using infocus in the classroom and then, Webtoon can also be printed on the paper. This media is suitable for students because it looks interesting.
Webtoon contains pictures where students can see the events when the characters in the story have dialogue, so they can motivate the students to read and also understand the contents of the text they are reading. In addition, Webtoon can reflect or train thinking skills, increase imagination, relieve stress, hone creativity, strengthen the power to gather interest in reading and of course students get to know new vocabulary.
Based on the description, then to make learning English interesting and enjoyable by using effective and creative Media to improve reading skill of a text, researcher are interested in researching with the title “The Use of Webtoon to Improve Students’ Reading Comprehension at Eighth Grade in SMPN 10 Tanjungpinang”.
1.2 Identification of The Problem
Based on the background of the study, there are several problem faced by students in reading skill :
1. The students’ reading comprehension were still low
2. The students still low motivation in learning reading comprehension 3. There are 50% (15 0f 31 ) of students did not pass the (MMC) Minimum
Mastery Criteria.
1.3 Research Question
Based on the statement in previous page, the researcher have formulated the problem “How can Webtoon improve students’ reading comprehension at eighth grade in SMPN 10 Tanjungpinang?”
1.4 Purpose of the Research
The objective of this research is to improve students’ reading comprehension through Webtoon media at eighth grade in SMPN 10 Tanjungpinang.
1.5 Limitation of The Problem
1. Subject of this research is the recount text in the class VIII second semester.
2. The learning media used in this study is Webtoon.
1.6 Significance of The Study
The result of this study is expected to provide useful information for : 1.6.1 Theoretically
1. This research can be used as a reference for anyone who has the same interest in the same field.
2. This research can be useful as a reference in choosing media in reading comprehension, especially recount texts.
1.6.2 Practically
1. The English Teacher
For teachers to be able to use it as a source of information to improve learning in the classroom and also to solve students’ reading comprehension problems in the classroom, especially for junior high school through this Webtoon media.
2. The students
For students to be able to use it as a source to improve their reading comprehension by using this Webtoon.
3. Other Researchers
This research can be used as a reference for researcher who conduct research that is almost the same to get new sources of information.
4. The School
This has a very positive impact on the learning process in the classroom through this Webtoon media.
1.7 Definition of Key Terms 1.7.1 Reading Comprehension
Reading comprehension is an activity carried out with understanding of the contents of the text being read by using a certain effective way to understand the intent and purpose of a text being read.
1.7.2 Recount Text
Recount text is a text that retells stories that happened in the past and serves to entertain readers of stories related to recount text.
1.7.3 Webtoon
Webtoon is a comic application that contains conversational dialogue accompanied by certain character images, and this Webtoon application can be accessed using smartphones, laptops, and can also be printed.
