CHAPTER 1

The Problem and its Background

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of Systemic Functional

Grammar in improving reading comprehension of non - readers in Grade 9 and
10 students in Pasig National High School year 2022 - 2023.

Especially, it seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the level of effectiveness of systemic functional grammar in

improving reading comprehension?
2. How does level of reading comprehension affects the students academically?
3. What is the level of effectiveness of systemic functional grammar when
taken as an entire group?
4. What is the level of effectiveness of systemic functional grammar in improving
reading comprehension when they are categorized according to level of academic
performance, age, sex, school size and school type?

Theoretical Framework

This study is supported by the theory of Michael Halliday. He stated that

exterior analysis involves the context or situation in which words are uttered
and discourses are composed. Everything we say relates to a particular
situation and words are not uttered independently of the context or situation.
Therefore, in order to perceive a discourse thoroughly, we should analyze the
field tenor and mode of a particular discourse, all of which correspond to the
metafunctions of all languages founded by Michael Halliday (1973), namely,
ideational function, interpersonal function and textual function. From the
perspective of functional grammar, discourse analysis should relate a given
discourse to the systems of languages (Halliday, 2011). When it comes to
teaching reading, we should consider a text as an integrity and probe into it
from structural levels and its content, so that language learners can grasp the
main idea of the text efficiently and accurately.

Conceptual Framework

On the basis of the theory cited, to determine the effectiveness of systemic

functional Grammar in improving reading comprehension of non - reader in
Grade 9 and 10 students. This study is based on Systemic Functional Grammar
Theory and it is concerned primarily with the choices the grammar makes
available to speakers and writers. These choices relate speakers’ and writers’
intentions to the concrete forms of a language. Traditionally the “choices” are
viewed in terms of either the content or the structure of the language used.

Input Process Output

Profile of the
Respondents
A. Both male and - Pre-test Reading
-Intervention
female - Post-test Materials
B. Grade 9
Students

FIGURE 1. A Paradigm shows the relationship of variable

Significance of the Study

Students. Reading comprehension helps to develop the reading skills

and to improve the reasoning skills of students. Students will learn to
become excellent comprehenders of any given type of text. Students with good
reading comprehension will become excellent in reading storybooks, poems, to
understand and critique procedural forms of text without having hard time.

Teachers. Increases the enjoyment and effectiveness of reading and benefits

academic lives in addition to their studies but not only academically, but also
professionally and personally.
Administrator. A certain administrator needs reading comprehension to be able
to comprehend all the information and to avoid any misunderstandings.

School. Students can help our school by having school activities like cluster, spelling
bee, journalisms, like broadcasting joining national debates.

Future Researchers. Reading comprehension benefits the future researchers to

have a better understanding of reading comprehension. It helps them to learn
what does the information tells about. To learn how and where to use the
information gathered and can relay information properly. It feeds their mind on
information that are new to them.

Scope and Limitations

This quasi - experimental study aims to determine the effectiveness of

Systemic Functional Grammar in improving reading comprehension of non-
readers student. This study will be conducted in August 2022 to February
2023. The respondents will be the 50 randomly selected Grade 9 and 10
students in Pasig National High School.

Definition of Terms
To fully understand the terms to be used in this study, the following are
defined operationally.

Systemic - refers to the view of language as “a network of systems, or

interrelated sets of options for making meaning”

Functional - indicates that the approach is concerned with the contextualized,

practical uses to which language is put, as opposed to formal grammar, which
focuses on compositional semantics, syntax and word classes such as nouns
and verbs.

Grammar - also refers to the features and rules of the language that guide
users to creating properly constructed sentences. When we follow grammar
rules it helps our listeners and readers understand what we’re trying to
communicate.

Systemic Functional Grammar - is concerned primarily with the choices the

grammar makes available to speakers and writers. These choices relate
speakers’ and writers’ intentions to the concrete forms of a language.
Traditionally the “choices” are viewed in terms of either the content or the
structure of the language used.