Awakeninig students interests through written dialogue journals

Abstract

This qualitative case study describes the use of written dialogue journals (WDJs) in order to create a bridge of communication in which students were able to express themselves freely about their lives inside and outside scholl. The participants were a group of 7 th graders, in which eight were selected randomly. This study took place during tha academic year of 2003. Without taking into account the participants' literacy level, we permitted participation in this written communication activity to a certain extent even from the first day of class, this was because students' WDJ entries focused on meaning and interest on students' writings rather than form. This research revealed that the use of WDJs promoted mutual communication and students' implicit grammar correction. It enhanced the students? selection of different writing topics that they felt closely related to their lives. It was concluded that WDJs were an alternative form of written communication, and that they could be very useful instruments to promote written practice as well as to improve students? writin in a foreign language classroom.