IMPROVING STUDENTS' READING SKILL USING QUANTUM LEARNING METHOD

This research is aimed at finding out: (1) whether the implementation of quantum learning to the eighth grade students of SMP Negeri 16 Surakarta can improve the students' reading skill and (2) what happens to the class situation when quantum learning is implemented in reading class. This research was conducted in two cycles at class VIII A of SMP Negeri 16 Surakarta from October 10th to March 8th 2012. The qualitative data werecollected by using observation, questionnaire, and interview. Meanwhile, the quantitative data were collected by using test. The research findings showed that the use of quantum learning could improve students' reading skill and class situation during reading class. The improvement of students' reading skill could be seen from the improvement of mean score of pre-test, post-test 1, and post-test 2, those are 54.77, 63.71, and 71.54. While the improvement of class situation includes: (1) the students were interested in following the lesson and (2) the students were active during the learning process. They had high level of participation in reading class.Key words: reading skill, quantum learning metho