The background of this research was based on problems that faced by students
in reading class.The use of Reciprocal Method can be used as a teaching method to
help teacher in teaching learning, especially in teaching reading comprehension. The
study is aimed at responding the following question: 1) How is the implementation of
reciprocal method in teaching reading comprehension?, 2)Is reciprocal method
effective for students in learning reading comprehension.
This research was conducted by using quasi experimental method.The method
of the research was quantitative and qualitative. Data were obtained by giving test to
the students of second grade (VIII C as experimental Group and VIII E as control
group). The instruments that were used to collect data were pre-test and post-test as
main instrument and questionnaire as second instrument. The test was used to know
students' ability in reading comprehension before and after the teacher implementing
Reciprocal Method. Questionnaire was used to know students' perception during
teaching learning process.
The data for this experimental study were students' reading pre-test post-test
scores and students' activites results, and the reading scores were analyzed with
Fraenkle and Wallen formula. The result of t accountis 6,6 t table is 1,997 for α = 5%. So the
conclusion is t account is higher than t table (t account> t table). The research found that the reading
scores of the experimental group is higher than the control group and it is also
supported by the students' perception.Furthermore, the students' perception results
indicate that there were positive responses towards the use of Reciprocal Method in
teaching reading. It was effective both in arousing students' motivation and in
improving their reading comprehension.
From the results, using Reciprocal Method in teaching reading comprehension
was expected to be a new contribution for helping teacher to conduct an effective and
interesting learning in the classroom.
Keyword : Reciprocal Method, Reading, Reading Comprehension