The objectives of this research are (1) to identify whether and to what extent situational pictures enhance speed reading for reading comprehension, and (2) to find out what happens when situational pictures are applied in reading class. This research was a classroom action research conducted in two cycles to the students of Level Kids 2 Group 3 Term 12.08 at ELTI Gramedia Surakarta from August to September 2012. Data were collected through observation, field notes, interview, documents and tests of speed reading and reading comprehension (pre-test and post-test). The qualitative data were analysed through data reduction, data display and conclusion drawing and verification. The quantitative data were analysed through descriptive statistic, finding the mean score of the tests.
The research findings show that: (1) the reading speed and the reading comprehension increased. Speed reading improved from 58 to 168 words per minute and the improvement in reading comprehension included abilities in finding: a. the communicative purpose of the text; b. main idea; c. implicit information and d. explicit information. In addition, the final result of the reading
comprehension tests showed that students’ scores were improving in the mean score; from 36.92 (pre-test) to 86.15 (post-test). It was higher than score’s minimum standard to pass, which was 60. (2) there was the improvement of classroom situation, which included: a. time spent for reading a text; b. motivation and c. willingness. In conclusion, the use of situational pictures is able to increase the students’ reading speed which improved their reading comprehension and the classroom situation of the reading class.
Key words: situational pictures, speed reading, reading comprehension, classroom action research.