Problem Identification Computer-assisted language learning to improve reading competence of mechanical engineering students : an action research.

English competence. It is necessary for teachers to foster students to be active inside class. These challenged the researcher to find better techniques to teach them. The result of the observation and interview with the students showed that the students needed media to develop their reading competence. The objective of the research based on the research question was to improve the teaching learning process using CALL. The improvement of the research meant that students can comprehend reading passage using CALL. By comprehending the reading passage well, it is expected that the students can improve reading competence. Reading competence improves by achieving better result in reading competence. Exercises in CALL can also be used by the teacher to help students in achieving better competence. By using CALL, the students can engage their reading competence by practicing the activities. In learning process, this research wants to discover that computer-assisted language learning is effective to provide more exercises and more practices in classroom. It is hoped that CALL can help the learning process and are able to make learning effective. This research employs action research. It means that this research encourages learning empowerment of the students. The researcher explored the students’ opinion in problems of reading and how to solve the problems, reading improvement using CALL. The students can develop their competence by themselves inside and outside classroom. The students can also be autonomous learners so that, they could master and practice what they have learnt in class well.

F. Research Benefits

This study is expected to give the benefits for some parties. The researcher can learn a lot from this research. The crucial theories, methods and experiences of processing the various data would be beneficial for doing the similar research. Since it is action research, this study provides the benefits for the students in solving problems especially reading competence. They can get valuable experiences in improving their own competence by employing computer application. Practically, students are expected to be able to practice exercises in CALL so that, they can develop their English by practicing them. Students can also find out that learning English is not only monotonous by doing paper exercises. They can apply it by using their computer and they will get more motivation and exposure to improve their English. It offers very good visual impact and uses English in different situations. It allows and encourages interactive learning between the students and the computer. It allows student to make choice and progress at their own speed. the exercises enhance students’ motivation and provide more stimulation for learning. It also helps to enhance students’ language skills and enrich their vocabulary. Students could work under a pressure-free atmosphere when working on the computer. There was no public embarrassment even when they gave a wrong answer. All topics were designed in the same manner. The result of the action research can be used by English lecturers in mechanical engineering to give alternative teaching techniques and solve the problems which faced by students in learning English. Moreover, it can improve teaching learning process. CALL which uses Hot Potatoes can be used as one of task