Development of comic media to improve English reading comprehension for senior high school students

Authors

  • Syahidin Wahyudin Universitas Negeri Makassar, Indonesia Author
  • Hamsu Abdul Gani Universitas Negeri Makassar, Indonesia Author
  • Awaluddin Muin Universitas Negeri Makassar, Indonesia Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30862/jri.v6i2.171

Keywords:

Comics, English problem, learning media, reading comprehension

Abstract

English reading comprehension skills among students in Indonesia remain relatively low. This study focuses on developing comics as a learning media aimed at improving English reading comprehension among senior high school students. The study employs the research and development. The participants consisted of 10th-grade students: 5 for the individual trial, 23 for the large-scale trial, 30 for the needs analysis, and 71 for the effectiveness test. The results demonstrate consistency across product quality, student acceptance, and the effectiveness of using the comics. Expert validation indicates that the comics met suitability standards regarding content (96.60%) and media (61.60%). Positive student responses show that the product is acceptable, engaging, and practical for English language learning (scoring 90.67 in the small-group trial and 89.13 in the large-group trial). Meanwhile, the effectiveness test results reveal an improvement in reading comprehension following the use of the comics (N-gain = 0.58). The consistency of these findings indicates that the developed comics possess adequate quality as an English learning media for 10th-grade students.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abdussafa, A., Karim, S. A., Matas, G., & Radjaban, R. Y. (2026). Enhancing Vocational High School Students’ English-Speaking Skills Through Comic Strips. Journey: Journal of English Language and Pedagogy, 9(1), 51–67. https://doi.org/10.33503/journey.v9i1.2967

Aini, R. (2024). Students’ Abilities and Difficulties in Comprehending English Reading Texts at Second Grade Students’ of SMA Negeri 1 Sakra Timur. Educatoria : Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Pendidikan, 4(2), 60–78. https://doi.org/10.36312/educatoria.v4i2.260

Al-Muttairi, F. Z. S., & Al-Alusi, A. H. S. H. (2025). Multimodal Communication in ESL Learning: Examining the Integration of Visual, Auditory, and Textual Elements in Digital Media with a Focus On Quality Education (SDG 4). Journal of Lifestyle and SDGs Review, 5(3), e04773. https://doi.org/10.47172/2965-730X.SDGsReview.v5.n03.pe04773

Arief, Z., Mujahidin, E., & Hartono, R. (2022). The Effect of Digital Comic Media on East Asian Students’ ‎English Language Learning Outcomes. International Journal of Society, Culture and Language, 10(3), 117-124. https://doi.org/10.22034/ijscl.2022.551349.2604

Azizah, R., & Hamid, S. F. (2022). The Effectiveness of Comic Strip in Improving Students Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension. Journal of English Language Teaching, Linguistics, and Literature Studies, 2(1), 219–230. https://doi.org/10.30984/jeltis.v2i1.1941

Badeo, J. M., & Koc, B. C. U. O. K. (2021). Use of Comic-based Learning Module in Mechanics in Enhancing Students’ Conceptual Understanding and Motivation. Science Education International, 32(2), 131-136. https://icaseonline.net/journal/index.php/sei/article/view/291

Baga, S., Aqil, D. I., & Rosaline, M. M. (2022). Caricatures and comics based on gender towards concept understanding: A learning media on environmental pollution. Biosfer, 15(1), 134–146. https://doi.org/10.21009/biosferjpb.25318

Barchín, L. M. (2026). Using Comics in the English Classroom: A Didactic Tool for Enhancing Reading and Writing Skills. Journal of Literary Education, (10), 35–50. https://doi.org/10.7203/JLE.10.31384

Bozkurt, O. (2023). The effect of using educational comics in science class on hidden attitude, motivation and academic achievement. International Journal of Education Technology and Scientific Researches, 8(23), 1301–1328. https://doi.org/10.35826/ijetsar.611

Br Kembaren, D. P., Mahayanti, N. W. S., & Adnyayanti, N. L. P. E. (2026). The Use of Digital Comics for Improving Reading Comprehension in English as a Foreign Language: A Systematic Review. Journal of English Language and Education, 11(2), 1124–1132. https://doi.org/10.31004/jele.v11i2.2283

Clark, E. E. (2017). Are Comics Effective Materials For Teaching ELLS? A Literature Review On Graphic Media For L2 Instruction. IJAEDU- International E-Journal of Advances in Education, 3(8), 298–309. https://doi.org/10.18768/ijaedu.336260

Damanik, I. J., & Harianja, G. S. (2022). The Effect Of Comic Books To Improve Reading Comprehension Ability At Grade VIII At SMP N 12 Pematangsiantar. Bilingual : Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, 4(1), 49–53. https://doi.org/10.36985/ekj7sj37

Damopolii, I. (2025). Student Motivation in Biology Learning Using Augmented Reality and Comics. Report of Biological Education, 6(2), 76–86. https://doi.org/10.37150/11vdyg02

Damopolii, I., Febrianto Paiki, F., & Hendriek Nunaki, J. (2022). The Development of Comic Book as Marker of Augmented Reality to Raise Students’ Critical Thinking. TEM Journal, 11(1), 348–355. https://doi.org/10.18421/TEM111-44

Damopolii, I., & Nunaki, J. H. (2016). Pengembangan media pembelajaran komik IPA terpadu materi sistem pencernaan pada manusia. Pancaran Pendidikan, 5(3), 61–70. https://jurnal.unej.ac.id/index.php/pancaran/article/view/4052

Damopolii, I., Paiki, F. F., Fauzi, I., & Nunaki, J. H. (2022). Online learning supported by digital comics: The effect on students’ critical thinking skills during COVID-19. AIP Conference Proceedings, 2468(1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0102520

Dianti, S. R., Hidayat, H., & Gaffar, M. A. (2026). The effect of grammar translation method and text-based instruction on students’ vocabulary knowledge. Journal of Research in Instructional, 6(1), 17–29. https://doi.org/10.30862/jri.v6i1.814

EF English Proficiency Index. (2023). Indeks Kecakapan Bahasa Inggris: EF Peringkat 113 negara dan wilayah menurut kecakapan berbahasa Inggris. Education First (EF). https://www.ef.com/assetscdn/WIBIwq6RdJvcD9bc8RMd/cefcom-epi-site/reports/2023/ef-epi-2023-indonesian.pdf

Fahmi, M., Maharani, M., & Harahap, T. R. (2025). Enhancing Students’ Reading Comprehension of Recount Texts through Comic Strips: A Classroom Action Research at SMP Negeri 4 Padangsidimpuan. ETANIC Journal Of English Language Teaching And Applied Linguistics, 3(1), 78–88. https://doi.org/10.55266/journaletanic.v3i1.521

Faudi, F., Husain, B., & Musthafa, B. (2023). Practice and barriers of technology integrated pedagogy in teaching EFL young learners: A critical analysis. Journal of Research in Instructional, 3(2), 185–195. https://doi.org/10.30862/jri.v3i2.251

Ghafar, Z. N., Hazaymeh, O. M.-A. A., Sarkingobir, Y., Dikko, A. M., Aprianoto, A., Amrullah, A., & Wajdi, M. (2026). Comic reading as a tool for improving mental health and English language proficiency. Journal of Education, Social & Communication Studies, 3(3), 172–186. https://doi.org/10.71028/jescs.v3i3.110

Girsang, S. E., & Rini, M. (2021). Improving the students’ reading comprehension by using comic strips at SMA Muhammadiyah-7 Serbelawan Grade XI. Bilingual : Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris, 3(1), 9–20. https://doi.org/10.36985/1dsw8a57

Haq, A., Maulina, M., Rahim, T. R., Halim, A., & Villaflor, M. R. D. (2026). A contextual digital comic-based approach (DCBA) for enhancing multimodal literacy in a rural EFL context. Tell : Teaching of English Language and Literature Journal, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.30651/tell.v14i1.30981

Liu, J. (2004a). Effects of Comic Strips on L2 Learners’ Reading Comprehension. TESOL Quarterly, 38(2), 225. https://doi.org/10.2307/3588379

Merc, A. (2013). The Effect of Comic Strips on Efl Reading Comprehension. International Journal on New Trends in Education and Their Implications, 4(1), 54–64. https://ijonte.elapublishing.net/makale/6242

Musahrain, M., Suryani, N., & Suharno, S. (2018). Analisis Kemampuan Membaca Siswa Pada Pembelajaran Reading Comprehension. Teknodika, 16(2), 30-36. https://doi.org/10.20961/teknodika.v16i2.34776

Nasir, N. I. R. F., Mahanal, S., Ekawati, R., Damopolii, I., Supriyono, S., & Rahayuningsih, S. (2024). Primary school students’ knowledge about animal life cycle material: The survey study. Journal of Research in Instructional, 4(1), 253–262. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.30862/jri.v4i1.320

Ota, M. K., Banda, Y. M., Sama, G., & Kara, Y. M. D. (2023). Student’s perception towards using Quizizz as an online evaluation medium of English learning. Journal of Research in Instructional, 3(2), 147–156. https://doi.org/10.30862/jri.v3i2.248

Purnama, T. R., Subroto, G., & Murni, D. (2023). The Effect of Comic Strips towards Students’ Reading Comprehension. Journal of Language, Literature, and English Teaching (JULIET), 4(1), 31–38. https://doi.org/10.31629/juliet.v4i1.4815

Radan, R. (2017). Visual Discourse of Comics in English Language Teaching. Journal of English Language Teaching and Linguistics, 2(2),135-155. https://doi.org/10.21462/jeltl.v2i2.52

Rokhayani, A., & Utari, A. R. P. (2014). The use of comic strips as an english teaching media for junior high school students. Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature, 8(2), 143-149. https://doi.org/10.15294/lc.v8i2.3018

Sinambela, C., Sirait, S. H. K. N., Nasir, I. R. F., & Damopolii, I. (2021). Enhancing student achievement using the fungi learning media supported by Numbered Head Together learning. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1918(5), 052053. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1918/5/052053

Wahyuni, S., Sudana, D., Mustafa, B., & Damayanti, I. L. (2026). English content knowledge coverage and vertical alignment: Across levels document analysis of curriculum frameworks. Journal of Research in Instructional, 6(1), 336–354. https://doi.org/10.30862/jri.v6i1.30

Waruwu, O. (2024). Increasing Students’ Reading Comprehension Ability On Descriptive Text By Using Languange Experience Approach At The Tenth Grade Of SMA Negeri 1 Lahomi. Ndrumi : Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan Dan Humaniora, 7(2), 16–26. https://doi.org/10.57094/ndrumi.v7i2.2219

Werimon, S., Damopolii, I., & Nunaki, J. H. (2017). Pengaruh model pembelajaran stad dipadu media pembelajaran komik materi sistem pencernaan manusia terhadap hasil belajar siswa. Jurnal Eksakta Pendidikan, 1(2), 33–40. https://doi.org/10.24036/jep.v1i2.52

Wicaksono, D. D., & Hartatik, S. F. (2023). The Students’ Views on The Use of Comic In Teaching And Learning English. Journey: Journal of English Language and Pedagogy, 6(2), 521–528. https://doi.org/10.33503/journey.v6i2.695

Downloads

Published

01-10-2026

Similar Articles

41-50 of 68

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.