by Elizabeth Cottone, NET, Po On Commercial Association Wong Siu Ching Secondary School, Tsuen Wan
The new milennium has signaled a change in focus for Hong Kong's education curriculum. Students are now beginning to learn how to learn, instead of how to memorize, and journal writing is a useful method of bridging that gap between the known and the unknown.
Journal writing is a proven method of improving writing. The theory behind it is that writing is a skill like any other. If you want to be good at basketball, then you must shoot the hoop constantly. If you want to be good at playing the piano, then regular practice is a must. If you want to be good at speaking, then you must practise it frequently. If you want to be good at writing, then you must also practise it regularly. Composition writing every two weeks and note-taking I'm afraid don't qualify here.
However, journal writing must be approached with caution. Too much interference will kill the developing skill. Take, for example, shooting goals and playing the piano and speaking regularly. What proportion of the time spent at the hoop/piano/podium is spent on being given advice by so-called experts? Maybe 5% in most cases. Too much advice or criticism kills. Throw your red pen away when marking journals - it's hard at first, then it becomes easy as the students writing becomes more interesting.
So, with journal writing, the teacher should not under any circumstances correct any mistakes, other than those general ones, e.g. Where is your heading? Where is your date?
Instead, the job of the teacher is to write encouraging remarks, e.g. how interesting/ clever girl/what a great experience/ what a pity/ I agree/ yes!/ this is true/ thoughtful comment/ tell me more/ how brave you were/ life can be difficult sometimes/ what a great idea/ I'm pleased you had such a great holiday/ don't give up!/ yes, this happened to me too!/you worry too much/this is part of growing up/ give your self a pat on the back/congratulations/ ..
It must be noted that the journal is not meant to be a DIARY and is not supposed to include personal problems. Fortunately, this hasn't been much of a problem except for the one that was vaguely suicidal! I dealt with this on a personal basis and mentioned that help was available if necessary. There are some that touch on unhappy family relationships but in a philosophical way and these don't seem to reoccur if I give them a positive comment.
The students are required to make at least 2 entries per week. In order to encourage them to read the newspaper on a regular basis, I suggest that one entry per week be in response to an article from the paper, which they have to cut out and paste into their journal, and then respond to. After a shaky start where they all tended to cut out the same articles, they are now off and running and choosing articles that really interest them personally. Already, I can see some budding Anson Chan's amongst my Form 6 girls as well as those with a strong community awareness.
As well, the students are required to keep a LOG BOOK of their English activities outside class. I monitor this very carefully and insist that they keep this up to date. I draw the line at "Attended English tutorial" or "Did grammar exercises" or "Watched Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" ."Spoke English to my brother" was another one ..for how long? was my thought! I comment on their Logs every time I correct their journals and give praise for particularly good efforts.
It is important that these entries are done regularly and initially it might be a good idea to give 10 minutes of class time to get them writing.
I collect their journals every 3 or 4 weeks.
Since we have started a reading scheme as well in Form 6, I ask that at least one entry in the time period be written about the novel they are reading.
I'm happy to say that, after six months of journal writing, the students have accepted this extra burden and most seem to be enjoying writing in this new informal style, and ALL have significant improvements in their writing.
I hope you have the same success!
Should you require more information or a copy of my Journal Writing Guidesheet, then please contact me at ercottone@hotmail.com