An Exploratory Study of Reflective Dialogue Journal Writing of EFL Graduate Students in the English as a Foreign Language Context

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine Thai EFL graduate students’ perceptions towards reflective dialogue journal writing (RDJW), their writing fluency as well as self-awareness of their own English language learning and writing development. Thirty-four Thai graduate students aged 23 to 39 were required to carry out the RDJW task for 13 weeks – one journal entry per week. The teacher provided feedback to each journal entry on its content to which the students replied in a dialogic manner. After having completed 13 journal entries, the students completed a questionnaire and were interviewed individually. In addition, focus group discussions were implemented. The students’ writing fluency was also assessed quantitatively through a product-based indicator. The findings of the study revealed that the students viewed RDJW as a means to engage a student and the teacher in a two-way communication as they exchanged information without worrying about making or correcting errors in the writing. The students also reported an improvement in their writing fluency since their journal entries were longer and they could communicate their thoughts and feelings more easily. A paired t-test confirmed the significant gains in terms of the number of words written in the journals. RDJW also served as students’ reflection which heightened the awareness of their own English language learning and writing development.