The Effects of Using Local Culture–Oriented Reading Texts on Students’ English Skill Growth
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Abstract
This study investigates the effects of using local culture–oriented reading texts on students’ English skill growth at SMPN 7 Sabang especially in reading comprehension. The research was conducted with 25 eighth-grade students during the first semester of the 2025/2026 academic year. The study aimed to determine whether integrating local cultural content into reading materials could enhance learners’ comprehension and engagement when learning English as a foreign language. A pre-test and post-test design was implemented to measure students’ progress. The findings indicated that students exposed to reading texts based on local culture showed significant improvement in vocabulary mastery, reading comprehension, and motivation compared to when they used generic English materials. The use of culturally relevant content made the learning process more meaningful, as students were able to relate the text to their real-life experiences and community values. Therefore, incorporating local culture into English reading materials can be an effective strategy to support language skill development among junior high school students in Sabang.
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References
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