Professional Reflective Journal Explanation Purpose: To provide students with a framework to make connections between prior knowledge and new information. The framework engages students in a systematic process to guide their ongoing reflection, a process they can internalize and practice as constructive educators. Students will be able to engage in this process to improve their teaching throughout their careers. Students’ reflective journal entries will be included in the final portfolio completed in EDU678 and EDU679. 1. Description of Highlight(s) – chapter, article or event that pertains to ___________course. (20 pts.) Provide a brief summary of a chapter, article, behavior, event, etc. that is relevant to the course. This is an informational summary – do not include your personal reaction or speculation. *The highlight should be 1) specifically relevant to the course content (either from the textbook or the Powerpoint), 2) worthy reflecting upon, 3) content specific, important and academic to the topic, and 3) graduate level. 2. Initial Emotional Response (surprised, embarrassed, sad, inspired, excited, puzzled, etc.) (5 pts.) How did you feel about the highlighted subject? -“think” or “remind” is NOT an emotion. Examples: I was surprised at what I read (saw, heard) and wondered how true it was. I felt embarrassed to find out that… I was impressed with the strength of the children and their parents as they… Learning Process 3. Prior Assumptions or Opinions about the described highlight (10 pts.) What was your assumption, bias or opinion about the highlighted topic before you read/experienced the highlight (article, chapter, event, etc.)? Example: I assumed that ESL students need to be forced to speak English-only and stop using the L1 in order to acquire English. 4. Source of Assumption or Opinion What made you have such an assumption? (5 pts.) Example: I grew up hearing people say that immersion is the only way to learn a language and I heard people say that more time with English would produce more English. 5. Assumption/Opinion Check – Validation/Invalidation (20 pts.) How does the highlight described validate or invalidate your prior assumptions or opinions based on what you have learned during the class or read from the textbook? Please present academic contents, theoretical base, or research as an evidence of the (in)validation. Make it clear that you understand the topic/subject. Example: My assumption was invalidated, because according to Cummins [or similar source], students learn English faster when they have L1 support. He explains that…. The discussion should be precise and specific enough to show your content learning. Statement like “Phonetics is the study of sounds and Yule addressed how and where each sound is produced..” is too broad. 6. Realization/Aha Moment or Epiphany (20 pts.) What was the “Aha!” moment for you? How have your views or beliefs been changed? Analyze/reflect on how your ideas ...

1. Professional Reflective Journal Explanation
Purpose: To provide students with a framework to make
connections between prior knowledge and new information. The
framework engages students in a systematic process to guide
their ongoing reflection, a process they can internalize and
practice as constructive educators. Students will be able to
engage in this process to improve their teaching throughout
their careers. Students’ reflective journal entries will be
included in the final portfolio completed in EDU678 and
EDU679.
1. Description of Highlight(s) – chapter, article or event that
pertains to ___________course. (20 pts.)
Provide a brief summary of a chapter, article, behavior, event,
etc. that is relevant to the course. This is an informational
summary – do not include your personal reaction or speculation.
*The highlight should be 1) specifically relevant to the course
content (either from the textbook or the Powerpoint), 2) worthy
reflecting upon, 3) content specific, important and academic to
the topic, and 3) graduate level.
2. Initial Emotional Response (surprised, embarrassed, sad,
inspired, excited, puzzled, etc.) (5 pts.)
How did you feel about the highlighted subject? -“think” or
“remind” is NOT an emotion.
Examples: I was surprised at what I read (saw, heard) and
wondered how true it was.
I felt embarrassed to find out that…
I was impressed with the strength of the children and their
parents as they…
Learning Process
3. Prior Assumptions or Opinions about the described highlight
(10 pts.)
What was your assumption, bias or opinion about the

2. highlighted topic before you read/experienced the highlight
(article, chapter, event, etc.)?
Example: I assumed that ESL students need to be forced to
speak English-only and stop using the L1 in order to acquire
English.
4. Source of Assumption or Opinion What made you have such
an assumption? (5 pts.)
Example: I grew up hearing people say that immersion is the
only way to learn a language and I heard people say that more
time with English would produce more English.
5. Assumption/Opinion Check – Validation/Invalidation (20
pts.)
How does the highlight described validate or invalidate your
prior assumptions or opinions based on what you have learned
during the class or read from the textbook? Please present
academic contents, theoretical base, or research as an evidence
of the (in)validation. Make it clear that you understand the
topic/subject.
Example: My assumption was invalidated, because according to
Cummins [or similar source], students learn English faster when
they have L1 support. He explains that….
The discussion should be precise and specific enough to show
your content learning. Statement like “Phonetics is the study of
sounds and Yule addressed how and where each sound is
produced..” is too broad.
6. Realization/Aha Moment or Epiphany (20 pts.)
What was the “Aha!” moment for you? How have your views or
beliefs been changed? Analyze/reflect on how your ideas have
evolved –
Example: Now I realize that I had misconception on ELL
students using their L1 in the classroom and by banning
students from using their L1 during the class, I was keep them
from internalizing the concept. L1 is part of the student’s prior

3. knowledge and the students can make use of that resource in
learning English. Now, I understand that students can learn
better by using the language they are most comfortable with.
Etc….
7. Implications for future teaching practice (20 pts.)
What specific changes do you intend to make in your teaching
or classroom environment? Present specific examples such as
strategies, lesson plan or action to make.
I will allow students to use their L1 in class and I will provide
L1 dictionaries and reading materials to support student
learning. I will group students so they can take advantage of
their L1 to understand new concepts.
*It is very important for you to keep consistency throughout the
journal. If the highlight is about the influence of language in
culture, your assumption should be about the influence of
language in culture, and so on. The highlight shouldn’t be too
broad. If your assumption, for example is about syntax, you will
have to provide a long discussion on what syntax entails to
provide evidence of (in)validation.
Reflective Journal Grading Rubric
TESOL/Bilingual Programs,
Steps
1
Description of Highlights
1
Graduate level of topic
5
4
3
2
1

4. 2
Relevant to the course focus/emphasis
5
4
3
2
1
3
Focused topic that is not too broad or too simple
5
4
3
2
1
4
Objective and clear summary
5
4
3
2
1
2
Initial Emotional Response
1
Focus is specifically on an emotional response to the topic
5
4
3
2
1

5. 3
Prior Assumption/
Opinion
1
Clear description of prior assumption or opinion
5
4
3
2
1
2
Assumption(s) Specific to the highlighted topic
5
4
3
2
1
4
Source of Assumption
1
Demonstration of insightful personal identification of the source
of the assumption on the highlighted topic
5
4
3
2
1
5
Assumption Check
(Validation)
1
Reference to specific academic content from the course
text/course materials to support validation
5

6. 4
3
2
1
2
Graduate level discussion
5
4
3
2
1
3
Relevant to the prior assumption(s)
5
4
3
2
1
4
Clear exhibition of understanding the topic
5
4
3
2
1
6
Realization
Aha Moment or Epiphany
1
Identification of impact of the assumption check

7. 5
4
3
2
1
2
Clear exhibition of personal and/professional growth and
learning
5
4
3
2
1
3
Sincere and authentic
5
4
3
2
1
4
Specific to the highlighted topic and prior assumption
5
4
3
2
1
7
Implication of Future Teaching Practice
1

8. Provides clear and specific examples of effective future plans
and practice
5
4
3
2
1
2
Creativity/authenticity
5
4
3
2
1
3
specific to the highlighted topic
5
4
3
2
1
4
Relevant to TESOL or Bilingual education
5
4
3
2
1
Total Points:_____________