The document discusses using student journals in English language classes. It addresses questions like when journals should be done, who should do them, and how they should be implemented. Journals can be done weekly in class or as outside homework. They provide benefits like improving students' writing skills, learning about students individually, and addressing weaknesses. However, some students may be reluctant writers or not want the time commitment. The document provides examples of student responses about journals and suggests ways teachers can use and evaluate the journals.

1. Making the most of
student journals
Sandy Millin 13th April 2015
Available at: http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iatefl15
Twitter: @sandymillin sandymillin@gmail.com

2. What do I mean?

3. Weekly
Obligatory?
Other
homework?
15-20 minutes
Start of class
Fast finishers
Every lesson?
When?
In class Outside class
ImagestakenfromELTpicsbySandyMillinandJamesTaylor,usedundera
CCAttributionNon-Commerciallicense

4. Who?

5. How?
Get notebook
Start in class
Discuss why
writing v.
speaking
regular
ImagetakenfromELTpicsbyRoseliSerra,usedunder
aCCAttributionNon-Commerciallicense

6. What?
It was good and
challenging, but
sometimes it is hard
to make new topic
of writing.

7. What do I do?
Correction?
Assessment?
Content!
It’s more interesting than other
writing exercises, because it
implies a conversation
(between teacher and
student).
I honestly think that it really helped
me, because you corrected my
mistakes and I hope I won’t make
them again.
Make language problems
obvious. Sometimes I haven’t
been aware of this  good to
know so that I can work on it.
I know my weak point and
I will try to improve it.

8. But…
Reluctant writers
Personal
Time
Commitment
Well, I think that writing
a letter is good way to
express your feelings,
emotions and
handwriting.
I liked it very
much, but I was
too lazy to write
it(((
I need to
have a life!
Oh, yeah, journals, I
forgot about them!

9. Why?
In all my other classes I
barely wrote. That’s not
very good because it’s
one of my sticking points
in English and therefore it
was the perfect exercise
for me.
We tried to use the
vocabulary we learned
before so it was a good
way to practise.
It’s also interesting
because we wrote
about thing we
like.
It’s a way of
knowing each
other better
and practicing
my writing.
A piece of individual
teaching in a large
group!!
For the students
is good to write
about their
daily life.
It’s positive
to learn
about your
students.
As you see, I’ve
used different
ways of expressing
my opinion 

10. Then what?
 Topic choice
 Spellings
 Grammar auctions
 Gaps in vocabulary
 Punctuation
 Handwriting practice
 Personalised homework
The journals are
a good way to
test student’s
writing.
You can
immediately
evaluate them for
their writing skill.

11. My experience

12. 21st century?

13. Tell me more!
 My blog: Writing journal with students
 Adam Beale: Learner diaries
 ELTchat: Getting the most out of student journals
 ETprofessional Issue 83: Practice makes perfect
 Self-expression as a bridge for creative writing
 Dialogue journal writing in EFL education
 Enhancing EFL learners’ writing skill via journal
writing

15. Making the most of
student journals
Sandy Millin 13th April 2015
Available at: http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iatefl15
Twitter: @sandymillin sandymillin@gmail.com