10 between the perceptions of graphic symbols that represent language and the
readers’ language skills and the knowledge of the world. As it refers to Thompson 1987: 50, reading is an activity integrating the text and readers’ background
knowledge to build meaning. Moreover, according to Pfutze in Sartinah 1988:65, reading material is a text consists of sentences which are arranged in
orderly manner and make up a structured unity. From all of the definitions above, reading is an active process of
comprehending meaning of a reading material in which relating with the readers’ background knowledge. Therefore, reading is one of the influential factors in
learning English. To teach reading skill, teachers must be able to create the situation where
the topic is not merely pointed to the students as language exercises but as a theme needed by the learners. In this point, reading skill acquires to have a good
understanding in the knowledge itself. That is why a constructivist learning is needed in acquiring an excellent reading skill.
b. The Specific Skills Involved in Reading
According to Heaton 1979:104, there are some specific skills involved in reading. The specific skills are:
1 Distinguishing between letters and recognizing the letter-sound relationship. 2 Recognizing words and word groups, requiring ability to associate sounds
with their corresponding graphic symbols and understanding meaning of a reading text.
3 Understanding the meaning of words and word groups in the context in which they appear.
11 4 Recognizing structural clues and comprehend structural patterns.
5 Comprehending the plain meaning of a sentence or any complete sequence of words.
6 Perceiving relationship and sequence of ideas. 7 Comprehend paragraph and longer units of prose and select the main idea and
other significant features. 8 Drawing conclusion, making inference, and “read between the lines”
c. The Importance of Motivation to the Reading Process
There are many basic factors which are important for the teacher to observe if the student is to achieve a satisfactory level of reading achievement.
Positive motivation is essential since it provides greater effort, encourages concentration, and increases cooperation with those involved in the instruction
process. According to Cushenbery 1985:97, there are a number of principles which appear to be vital to every content teacher in understanding the vital topic
of motivation as it refers to the process of developing and learning the basic skills of reading. Those principles are:
1 Teachers need to understand that they are important role models for the vast majority of their students.
2 The curriculum needs to be fashioned in such a manner to permit some success and achievement for all students regardless of their previous academic
background. 3 Motivation to read should involved both intrinsic and extrinsic aspects.
4 The physical aspects of the classroom may have both positive and negative effects with respect to the motivational level of students.
