Use sample journal entries to inductively highlight target language elements¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

As an inductive variant of intensive focus on form, teachers present a sample journal entry that models the target language element and ask students to notice how it is used. For example, for prepositions of place, students read an entry describing a place and note the prepositions, then write their own entries describing favorite rooms or places of interest. This keeps attention on form embedded in authentic journal-style writing.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• A sample entry that authentically models the target form in communicative context

Constraints¶

Target Learners¶

• adult ESL students

Target Learning Goals¶

• noticing and using target language elements such as prepositions of place in written communication

Related Strategies¶

• Pre-teach target language forms deductively before journal entries incorporate them
• Design class-wide grammar lessons from common journal errors, and let students catalogue their own errors
• Provide incidental corrective feedback through clarification requests, recasts, and a P.S.
• Put students in charge of soliciting grammatical feedback through pre-taught correction questions
• Supplement task-based language teaching with grammar instruction and use communicative drills for automatization

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Kimberly Miller Linnell. (2010). Using Dialogue Journals to Focus on Form. Journal of Adult Education Information Series, No. 1, Vol. 39. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ891083