Types of Reading Improving Students’ Reading Skills

2.2.1.2 Types of Reading

Reading cam be concluded as a process to gain information from the text. Not only to gain information, reading also has some other purposes. Based on Brown 2004, he categorized reading into three types. They are 1. Academic Reading Academic reading focuses on the written text such as general interest articles in magazine and newspaper, technical reports e.g., lab reports, professional journal articles, reference material dictionaries, textbooks, theses, essay, papers, test directions, editorials and opinion writing. This type of reading deals with concept and ideas related to subject that are studied. 2. Job-Related Reading Job-related reading focuses on the written text such as messages e.g., phone message, lettersemails, memos, report, forms, applications, questionnaires, financial document, directories, manuals, directions. 3. Personal Reading Personal reading focuses on the written text such as newspapers and magazines, letters, emails, greeting cards, invitations, message, notes, lists, schedules, recipes, menus, map, calender, adverstisement, novel, short stories, jokes, drama, poetry.

2.2.1.3 Improving Students’ Reading Skills

Reading is one of the four skills in learning language. Reading is far more enjoyable when it is carried out efficiently and seriously. For Indonesian students, reading activity is necessary in order to enrich their knowledge through textbooks and other reference materials. Wiriyahita et. al. as quoted by Puspita and Mulyadi 1991:88 elaborates that these skills are the tools that enable the students to cope with texts in various subjects. The skills include knowledge and techniques for tackling problems such as interpreting illustrations. So, the point of improving reading skills is the English teachers should have a good reading skill in a good competent. Without adequate skill in reading, they will not be able to improve the students‟ reading skill. A teacher plays an important role for improving stud ents‟ reading skills. Nuttal as quoted by Puspita and Mulyadi 1991:89 suggests that there are two main things that a teacher should always remember to help the students. The first is to provide the students with suitable reading materials, and the second is to provide them with suitable teaching activities. However, the students can also improve their reading skills through independent activities. For example, silent reading, listen to music when reading, reading aloud, etc. They should find their own word they are reading. By finding an appropriate way to read, they will enjoy their reading. The students should not only improve their reading skills through formal education and assignment in various school textbooks, but they should also read many kinds of reading materials such as magazines, newspapers and fiction. Besides, they should be clever to use their spare time for reading after school. They should realize that the allocation of English at school is very limited. It means that the students should be active in and outside the classroom such as at home, in the library, etc.

2.2.1.4 Problem Faced by Students in Reading