This study aimed to improve students’ reading comprehension using small group
interaction. It use Classroom Action Research (CAR), which was conducted at VIIIC
Grade of SMP N 1 Salem in Academic Year 2011/2012 as the subject of the study. The
population of the class was 36 students. This study was done in March 2012.
The writer worked collaboratively with the English teacher in the class. The
CAR was carried out based on Kemmis and Mc Teggart design. The writer took two
cycles with 2 actions in each cycle. Each cycle consisted of planning, acting, observing,
evaluating and reflecting. The writer applied both qualitative data and quantitative data
that were taken from observation, reading test, questionnaire, and documentation.
The result of the study showed that there was a significant improvement in
students’ reading comprehension after the implementation the CAR using small group
interaction. The average score of the students in reading was 50.83 in pre test. It
improved 25.69% (63.9) in Cycle 1 and 59.04% (80.84) in Cycle 2. While the
improvement of the students’ activity in reading was 3.33% in Cycle 1 and 17.77% in
Cycle 2 (14.44% from the Cycle 1). The data from the students’ questionnaire which
were gained from the ten questions showed that the students gave positive response to
the implementation of small group interaction in their reading activity. The average of
the students’ questionnaire was 73.04%. Those data proved that small group interaction
could improve the students’ reading comprehension.