Reading in the Content Area

d. Reading Techniques

Learners are encouraged to employ reading techniques in order to have effective and efficient reading which requires certain kinds of comprehension skill. The techniques are offering a range of reading activities instead of requiring the learners to master them. According to Cushenbery 1985: 87-91, there are four general reading techniques: 1 Detailed Reading This technique requires readers to “examine each word and try to remember minute facts in order to solve a problem or conduct an experiment” Cushenbery, 1985: 87. It is usually used when the learners are assigned to make summary; to remember a sequence of events; to read maps, graphs, or charts; to locate and comprehend important details; and to compare or evaluate the relevancy of the materials. 2 Average Rate This requires readers to pay attention to key words and important phrases, the nature of subtopics presented, and the summary or topic sentences written at the beginning or end of the texts. The technique is used to grasp the significance of the writer’s point of view which is written on the texts, to find the answer to a specific questions, etc. 3 Skimming Skimming is “the quick type of reading that is done to get the general gist of the material” Cushenbery, 1985: 88. It involves fast reading since it is only intended to get the essence of the text. This technique does not consume much time and energy. Hill believes that “it is valuable in study situations as a preliminary or pre-organizational first reading or as a review after more thorough study has been made” Cushenbery, 1985: 90. 4 Scanning This technique is much faster than skimming. The purpose of scanning is to focus on particular numbers, words, or phrases in text. It should be used only when to answer questions which demand information explicitly stated in text.

5. Biology Subject at SMAN 3 Yogyakarta

Biology is the science of life that is a branch of knowledge which deals with living matter, as it is distinct from non-living matter. Johnson et al. state in a book entitled Biology: an Introduction 1984: xxvi that Biology is a natural science. In this case, the word “science” implies a means for obtaining knowledge. Biology as one of branches of Science is being taught at school to provide learning experiences to understand the nature of life and the living process. Thus, a Biology teacher is not only as a source of information but also a facilitator to help the students to develop the competence such as to think analytically to solve problems dealing with Biology. Considering their roles as bilingual teachers and learners in the research, the writer notices that Biology teachers need to develop their knowledge in subject matter by obtaining more up-to-date information. The up-to-date information can be obtained easily from literary works, such as books, magazines, PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI newspapers, online articles, journals, etc. As a result, reading skill is necessary for them to comprehend the texts especially those which are written in English for English is neither the mother tongue nor the lingua franca among those Biology teachers. As a matter of fact, Biology teachers at SMAN 3 Yogyakarta must handle bilingual classes in the school. The teaching tasks in which English becomes a means of communication in class encourage the Biology teachers to study English. One of their tasks is to develop Biology materials in English. It requires the Biology teachers to modify andor make summarization from available Biology books in English as well. To complete the task, English reading skill is necessary for them to be mastered. Although the school conducts English course periodically, it seems that the English learning is not effective for their further duties as Biology teachers. Therefore, the language learning should be specified. In order to make the language learning in the research effective for Biology teachers, the writer focuses the materials on reading. Furthermore, she also considers the topics stated in KTSP of senior high school in selecting the topics of the designed materials. The scope of Biology which is stated in KTSP includes: a. The nature of Biology, biological diversity and living things categorization, relationship among ecosystem components, material and energy changing, and the human role in ecosystem balance. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI