The Comparative Effects of Modern Dialogue Journal and Traditional Dialogue Journal on Critical Thinking: Iranian EFL Learners in Focus

The current study explored whether critical thinking skills can be cultivated among Iranian EFL learners through keeping dialogue journals written through paper-and-pen (traditional) and through email (modern). Moreover, the study compared Traditional Dialogue Journal Writing with Modern Dialogue Journal Writing to see which one has probably a greater potentiality for improving critical thinking in an ELT context. To this end, it adopted a quantitative design and selected 85 participants non-randomly from among intermediate EFL learners in Iran. To collect the data, a Preliminary English Test as a homogeneity test and Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Form were utilized. Statistical analysis of the finding revealed that dialogue journaling, both traditional and modern, was a fruitful experience for developing critical thinking. Moreover, contrary to the researchers' assumption, traditional Dialogue journal proved to have a greater potentiality for the development of critical thinking. The study provides implications for ELT contexts.

Strengthening Teacher–Student Rapport Through the Practice of Guided Dialogue Journaling

Dialogue journals are written conversations in which two partners communicate regularly. When practiced between a teacher and student, dialogue journaling has the potential to engage students in writing, and can lead to improved teacher–student rapport. In this Innovations in Practice article, we evaluate the use of structured dialogue journals between a student teacher and his English as a Second Language (ESL) students during a seven-week teaching practicum at a local secondary school in Hong Kong. The aim of this practice was for the teacher to engage with students on a personal level, thereby enhancing teacher–student rapport – an otherwise challenging goal during short-term school placements. The dialogue journals were designed to elicit students’ learning experiences, other out-of-class life experiences, and personal interests, which, when reciprocated with teachers’ comments, created a dialogic context for improving open and honest teacher–student communication in English. In this practice, a total of 11 rounds of dialogue journals were administered and completed throughout the teaching practicum period. An evaluation of the practice was based on an analysis of the dialogue journal entries, semi-structurestrud interviews with students, and the student teacher's own reflection. Implications of this practice are discussed in terms of the possibilities for ESL/English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers to use dialogue journals for enhancing teacher–student rapport.

PENERAPAN DIALOGUE JOURNALS PADA PEMBELAJARAN MENULIS BAHASA INGGRIS UNTUK MENINGKATKAN MOTIVASI MENULIS DAN KETERAMPILAN MENULIS SISWA ENGLISH AS ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE (EAL) KELAS 4 DI AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL (AIS) [THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DIALOGUE JOURNALS IN ENGLISH WRITING LEARNING TO INCREASE THE WRITING MOTIVATION AND WRITING SKILLS OF GRADE 4 ENGLISH AS ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE (EAL) STUDENTS AT AN AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL (AIS)]

<p>Writing in English takes place intensively but students’ writing motivation was low and their writing improvement didn’t meet the expectation. This situation raised concerns which led to improvement planning that aimed to 1) describe the implementation process of Dialogue Journals, 2) analyze the development of students’ writing motivation, 3) analyze the development of students’ writing skills, and 4) identify obstacles faced during the process of implementation and solutions to overcome them. This research used a classroom action research which consisted of three cycles and was conducted at Australian Independent School with six grade 4 EAL students involved. Resources of data collection were based on class observation, study of documentation, and measurement of students’ writing motivation and writing skills using writing motivation and writing rubric. The results of the research showed that 1) Dialogue Journals were applied based of suggestive steps and plans, 2) 5 out of 6 students’ writing motivation raised , 3) 5 out 6 students’ writing skills improved, 4) obstacles had been identified which included students’ absence, emotional, and behavioural problems which needed immediate solution, and teacher time management to reply to students, and learning tool availability and access. Solutions to the related obstacles were arranged and applied.</p><p><strong>BAHASA INDONESIA ABSTRACT: </strong>Kegiatan menulis bahasa Inggris siswa <em>EAL</em> kelas 4 berlangsung secara intensif namun motivasi menulis siswa rendah dan perkembangan keterampilan menulis siswa tidak sesuai harapan. Kondisi ini merisaukan. Bermula dari kerisauan ini, guru melakukan tindakan perbaikan dengan penerapan <em>Dialogue Journals </em>yang bertujuan: 1) mendeskripsikan proses penerapan <em>Dialogue Journals</em>, 2) menganalisis perkembangan motivasi menulis bahasa Inggris, 3) menganalisis perkembangan keterampilan menulis bahasa Inggris, dan 4) mengidentifikasi kendala yang dihadapi selama proses penerapan berlangsung dan solusinya. Penelitian ini menggunakan Penelitian Tindakan Kelas (PTK). Penelitian dilaksanakan dalam tiga siklus di <em>Australian Independent School</em> (<em>AIS</em>). Subyek penelitian terdiri dari enam orang siswa dan siswi kelas 4. Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui observasi, studi dokumentasi dan penilaian dengan menggunakan rubrik, serta dianalisis secara kualitatif deskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan: 1) penerapan <em>Dialogue Journals </em>sesuai dengan langkah-langkah yang disarankan dan direncanakan, 2) motivasi menulis 5 dari 6 orang siswa meningkat, 3) keterampilan menulis 5 dari 6 siswa meningkat dan 4) kendala dalam proses penerapan diantaranya ketidakhadiran siswa, masalah sikap yang timbul yang perlu penanganan segera, manajemen waktu guru, penggunaan dan ketersediaan fasilitas alat bantu. Solusi berupa penyediaan strategi manajemen emosi dan sikap, mengatur waktu dan mendorong siswa belajar secara mandiri.</p>

ÜBER FREMDSPRACHENLERNEN DISKUTIEREN – MIT HILFE DIALOGISCHER LERNTAGEBÜCHER

Learning journals are widely used in second/foreign language research. They are not only tools to gather data but also contribute to optimization of the learning process and help students become more autonomous. The discussion presented here focuses on dialogue journals, which are used for ongoing written interaction between the teacher and learners. The paper provides a terminological basis, gives examples of topics and describes the characteristics of the teacher-student dialogue management. The advantages and disadvantages of dialogue journals are discussed from the didactic perspective. The last part of the paper concerns empirical problems to be taken into account when learning journals are introduced and used.

Writing Together: Reclaiming Dialogue Journals as a Mutually Humanizing Teaching Practice

This article builds on the work of adult literacy scholars to explore how dialogue journals might be used to enact a mutually humanizing pedagogy within adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classrooms. The researcher extends the discussion of using dialogue journals to consider not only how they can be used to meet the ends of specific class and language learning goals but can be utilized by teachers and researchers as a humanizing practice in a context historically and contemporarily dominated by the dehumanizing of adult immigrants through popular and political discourse. Through a review of literature and data from a practitioner inquiry study, the researcher revisits research on dialogue journaling and offers a reclaiming of dialogue journals as a mutually humanizing practice, using the discussion to interrogate what humanizing practices look like in a contemporary adult ESOL classroom.

Implementation of Dialogue Journal in Teaching Writing Descriptive Text

Dialogue Journals Writing (DJW) or Written Dialogue Journals are written dialogues or conversations between students and teacher kept in a personal journal book over period of time on a particular topic preferred by both the students and the teacher (Peyton and Reed, 1990; cited from Collin (2003). This study explored the implementation of dialogue journal as media in teaching writing descriptive text. The subjects of this study were students at Eleventh Grade of vocational high school. This study is qualitative case study which conducted in three meetings. The data were obtained from classroom observations, documentations from the learners and questionnaire. The result of document analysis showed that the students’ writing was poor. It can be seen from the students’ writing performance which was analyzed based on the writing indicator by Brown and Abeywiakram (2010). However, from the students’ dialogue showed that the students could understand the content of their friends’ writing. Also from the students’ dialogue, they could express their feelings toward their friends’ writing. While the result of classroom observation showed that the implementing of DJW brought new atmosphere for the students during learning activity. They could enjoy the learning while writing descriptive text through DJW. Meanwhile the result of questionnaire showed that students gave positive response toward implementing DJW. As the suggestions, the use of Dialogue Journal can be solution for the students who lack of practice writing. Moreover, it can build their writing habit. Thus, the teacher can use Dialogue Journal in learning activity.

E-portfolios and e-dialogue journals: Exploring their use in teaching writing skills

This research was aimed to find out (1) whether the use of e-portfolios is more effective than the use of e-dialogue journals, (2) whether the use of e-portfolios is more effective than the use of conventional assessments, (3) whether the use of e-dialogue journals is more effective than the use of conventional assessments, and (4) the most effective assessment of all in the teaching of writing skills. This study was a quasi-experimental research using Pretest-Post-test Control Group Design. The data were collected in January-February 2016 in SMK Penerbangan Adisucipto Ardhya Garini. The sample of the research was the students of class X3, X4, and X8 which were determined by using cluster simple random sampling. There were four hypotheses of this study and the research findings revealed that the hypotheses were accepted. It was indicated by all of the Sig values which were lower than the level of significance (0.05).