“I feel like I have somebody to talk to”: Exploring students- voices through journaling
Rojab SIti Rodliyah
Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
Abstract
Journaling is believed to have many benefits, yet it is not widely used in EFL classrooms. This paper aims to explore the students- voices regarding the implementation of regular journaling in their writing class. The data were obtained from their written reflection after they wrote weekly journals for one semester. The qualitative analysis of the students- reflection revealed that the students- perceived journaling as something worth doing because it offers some advantages, both psychologically and academically. Psychologically, they think journaling is a good means of epressing their feelings and ideas especially when they do not have enough courage and confidence to speak up in the class. Journaling can make them feel ‘heard- without feeling ashamed and fearing of being evaluated. Academically, they believe that journaling can develop their writing habit and improve their writing skills. They further recommend that journaling should be done more frequently.
Keywords: journaling, voices, rapport
Topic: Learning / Teaching Methodologies and Assessment