Identification of the Problem
affect to their academic progress and those who are not able to read properly will have difficulties in their study.
Up to now, many definitions have been defined by hundreds of education scientists. There are some experts who defined reading. Paul C Burn defines
reading into two part, they are reading process and reading product. Reading process means that several sequences steps that students should accomplished
while reading text material. While reading as a product means that the reader has to understand about interaction between a reader and a text and meaning-getting
process, simply it called communication.
1
Process of reading also explained by Heilman, he says that “Reading is an active process that is affected directly by an
individual’s interaction with language that has been coded into print.”
2
All in all reading actually is a process of communication in which the readers use strategies
in order to look for meaning from printed symbols. In other words, good readers generally understand about their reading purpose and try to translate the codes that
are contained in the text into meaning. Reading as process also noted as follows. Definitions states by Nunan, he
said that “Reading is usually conceived as solitary activities in which the reader
interacts with text in isolation .”
3
It can inferred that reading is not only looking at word in the form of graphic symbol but reading is a communication process that
involved an enjoyment of a reader’s to interact with text. Margaret Ann and
friends have attempted to define reading. They stated that “Reading is the process
of constructing meaning trough the dynamic interaction among reader, the text and the context of the reading situation.”
4
It could be synthesized that a truly reader, therefore should follow several steps of getting meaning process. Not only
several steps that a reader should follow, but a reader should also consider linking
their knowledge, interest and condition with the process of constructing meaning.
1
Paul C. Burn, Betty D. Roe, and Elinor P. Ross,Teaching Reading in Today’s
Elementary Schools, Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1984, p. 2.
2
Arthur W. Heilman, Timothy R. Blair, and William H. Rupley, Principle and Practices of Teaching Reading Fifth Edition, Ohio: Charles E. Merril Publishing Company, 1981, p. 4.
3
David Nunan, Language Teaching Methodology: A Textbook for Teachers, New York: Prentice Hall, 1998, p. 72.
4
Margaret Ann Richeck, Lynne K. List, and Janet W. Lerner, Reading Problems Assessment and Teaching Strategies Second Edition, New Jersey: Prentice hall Inc., 1989, p. 7.