The The boosting academic literacy for young learners’ reading comprehension and character building

Abstract

Reading habit is important to be introduced to young learners. Through academic literacy, students not only comprehend social and science texts but also enhance their character. To realize the literacy program in these lessons, a team-game tournament is used that consists of a presentation, group discussion, reading tournament, and the award. The study uses a qualitative research method that applies a semi-structured observation guide and interviews sixth-grade students in one primary school in Indonesia. The observation indicates teaching techniques for improving reading comprehension, and the interview shows the impacts of academic literacy in the team-game tournament (TGT) on students’ knowledge. The findings show that academic literacy improves understanding of social and science texts, and moral values. The study recommends that team-game tournament provides practice not only in reading but also in writing and speaking skills.