© Master Program in Linguistics, Diponegoro University www.eprints.undip.ac.id
The most important thing in conducting cooperative learning is not only about the group cooperation, but also the work together of the teacher and the
students in class. There are many kinds of techniques in cooperative learning, such as small group discussions, jigsaw, STAD, group investigation, etc. Based on
http:www.fp.education.tas.gov.auenglishsmallgroup.htm ,
“small group
discussion is arrangement of students into small groups to participate in a range of activities to develop thinking
or to complete practical tasks”. This study focuses on implementing the small group discussions as the technique in teaching-learning
process in genre-based reading class. Considering the background of the study, there are three statements of
the problems arise as the followings: 1.
How is cooperative learning in small group discussions implemented in Genre-Based Reading class?
2. How is cooperative learning reflected in small group discussions in Genre-
Based reading class? 3.
How do the students’ interests and awareness in Genre-Based Reading class enhance their cooperative learning in small group discussions?
B. Purpose of the Study
Relating to the research problems, this study is aimed at finding out the role of small group discussion technique in teaching genre-based reading class to
improve the students’ reading skill. This study is also intended to:
© Master Program in Linguistics, Diponegoro University www.eprints.undip.ac.id
1. describe the implementation of small group discussions in Genre-Based
Reading class. 2.
find out in what extent the cooperative learning is reflected in small group discussions in Genre-Based Reading class.
3. find out whether small group discussion technique could enhance
students’ interests and awareness in Genre-Based Reading class.
C. Scope of the Study
This study was applied in a classroom action research which used small group discussion as one of the techniques of cooperative learning in teaching
genre-based reading class to the students. By using this technique, the students would have a large autonomy to be active both in group and in the class
individual. They did not only do the silent reading and answered the abundant questions, but also practiced their speaking skills on discussing the materials.
Teaching reading class has two basic levels; intensive and extensive reading. Intensive reading classes I and II for the second and third semester
students of English Department in Pancasakti University focus on discussing the genre-based reading. This study implemented the small group discussions in
Intensive Reading I, the lecturer only intended to devote on Description, Narrative, Recount and Report text.
© Master Program in Linguistics, Diponegoro University www.eprints.undip.ac.id
D. Definitions of Key Terms
Several key terms used in this study such as cooperative learning, small group discussions, genres, reading process, classroom action research CAR in
which they are defined specifically in the followings: 1.
Cooperative Learning refers to an approach that makes the students work in groups or pairs to maximize their own learning. This learning approach is also
known as collaborative learning. Cooperative learning could be conducted in many ways, such as in small group discussions, jigsaw, learning together, etc.
It more focused on the way that teacher and students work together. 2.
Small-Group Discussions means one of the techniques in cooperative learning which intends some students in small groups to participate in a range of
activities to develop thinking or to complete practical tasks. By using this technique, the students are expected to be more open, active and confident to
express their ideas. 3.
Genres or type of texts is the basic theme taught in both Junior and Senior high school. Since the subject of this study is the English Department
students from Teacher Training and Education Faculty FKIP, they must master in Genres. It is conducted in Intensive Reading I and II.
4. Reading Process in this study refers to a process to gather some information
from the text through small group discussions technique. There are three reading purposes employed in this study, they are reading to search some
information, reading to skim quickly, and reading for general comprehension.
© Master Program in Linguistics, Diponegoro University www.eprints.undip.ac.id
5. Classroom Action Research CAR is a research conducted to improve the
teaching and learning process which is caused by unsatisfied outcome such as the students’ low ability or achievement, students’ poor interest and
awareness in learning, and other problems concerning with the teaching and learning process in the classroom.
E. The Organization of Writing
