If we read the words correctly but we do not understand what they mean, it is not reading, because reading without understanding is called
decoding. We just identify the sounds of the words and do not understand the meaning of the words.
Christine Nuttal stated that decoding, identifying and articulating are reading for beginners who begin to read, it is important to recognize the words
correctly, but for higher-level reader, understanding the writer’s ideas is the focus of their reading.
3
Marrianne Celce-Murcia as quoted from Hudelson 1994 said that “in reading, an individual constructs meaning through a transaction with
written text that has been created by symbols that reader’s acting on or interpreting the text, and the interpretation is influenced by the reader’s past
experiences, language background, and cultural framework as well as the reader’s purpose for reading”.
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Our past experiences and language background can help us in interpreting the text, so we can understand the text and get the
writer’s ideas. Therefore, if we cannot understand the words in the text which we are
read, how can we get the writer’s idea? According to the explanation from the expert in language teaching
learning above, the writer can conclude that reading is not only reading the words or sentences correctly but also understanding what the words mean to
get the writer’s ideas.
2. The Purpose of Reading
When people read, they may have some purposes. For example, if they want to get a pleasure, they read novels, comics or magazines, it may be
3
Christine Nuttal, Teaching Reading Skill in a Foreign Language Oxford:Heinemann, 1989, p. 2
4
Marrianne Cecle-Murcia, Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language, Boston:Heinle Heinle, 2001, p. 154
caused by the texts are interesting and entertaining. Then, when they want to get some information about what they need, they may read textbook or
newspaper. Jo McDonough and Christopher Shaw as quoted from William
1984; classifies the purpose of reading into three purposes. First, people read to get the general information, for instance, they read a book, newspaper, etc.
Second, people read to get the specific information, such as schedule, timetable, etc. Third, people read to get pleasure or interest, although it is for
enjoyment, it is still purposeful.
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However, people have their own purpose in reading. Students who learn English as a second language also have their own purposes. According to
Ivan J. Quandt “the reader must have a personal purpose for reading in order to become involved”.
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When the students have their own purpose for reading, they will do it because they think that it is useful for them.
Jo McDonough and Christopher Shaw stated as they quoted from Rivers and Temperley 1978, there are some specific purposes in reading, and
those are: a. To get information about a topic that students need, such as books,
encyclopedia etc. b. To get the instruction on how to do something, such as instruction of
electrics devices. c. To keep in touch with friends, such as letters, e-mail etc
d. To know when or where something will take place or what is available, such as time table, schedule etc
5
Jo McDonough and Christopher Shaw, Materials and Methods in ELT, Oxford:Blakweel, 1993, p. 102
6
Ivan J. Quandt, Teaching Reading:A Human Process, New York:Rand McNally College Publishing Company, 1977, p. 113
e. To know what is happening or has happened, such as newspaper, magazine.
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f. To get pleasure. Marrianne Celce-Murcia also stated that there are some specific
reading purpose for he students in academics setting, there are: 1. To search for information
2. To learn new information 3. To synthesize and evaluate the information
4. For general comprehension
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Based on the description, the writer considers that they are two general reading purposes. First, people read books, newspapers, encyclopedia,
etc to get information. Second, people read such as novels, comics, etc to get pleasure, it may be caused by the material is interesting.
3. Reading Skills
