The Korean Association for the Study of English Language and Linguistics

[ Article ]

Korea Journal of English Language and Linguistics - Vol. 22, No. 0, pp.730-748

ISSN: 1598-1398 (Print) 2586-7474 (Online)

Print publication date 31 Jan 2022

Received 10 May 2022 Revised 20 Jul 2022 Accepted 31 Jul 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15738/kjell.22..202207.730

The Effectiveness of International University Students’ Learning Logs in the Course of English Communication

Jeong-Hwa Lee ; Kyung-Whan Cha

(first author) Inviting Professor, Dept. of Liberal Arts, Dankook University, Tel: 02) 3392-1009 2019jhlee@naver.com
(corresponding author) Professor, Dept. of English Education, Chung-Ang University, Tel: 02) 820-5395 kwcha@cau.ac.kr

© 2022 KASELL All rights reserved
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons License, which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to measure the English writing ability, and perceptions of international college students toward a learning log (a way for learners to record their learning and progress around topics), particularly those who have taken English courses in Korean universities. Eighteen students from four countries participated in the experiment. Students filled out a total of 8 study logs over a 15-week period. According to the results of a t-test (t = -2.234, p = .039) that was conducted to measure the accuracy of their first and last learning log entries, the accuracy of their writing significantly increased. When the students’ first and eighth entries were compared, it was discovered that they used more English words in the latter than in the former one, and the descriptions were more detailed. In the two surveys that the students participated in, it was seen that their interest in learning English (t = -2.608, p = .018), their paragraph writing skills, and their awareness of proper English grammar showed significant growth. We hope that systematic learning strategies that can make English more interesting and fruitful for international English learners will be developed through continuous research on learning log activities in the future.

Keywords:

international college students, learning log, English writing ability, attitudes, perceptions

References

Ahn, K. 2013. Developing pre-service EFL teachers’ language learning and skills: A case study using English learning logs. Modern Studies in English Language & Literature 57(1), 139-166.
Bailey, K. M. and R. Ochsner. 1983. Methodological review of the diary studies: Windmill tilting or social science? In M. Bailey, M. Long and S. Peck, eds., Second Language Acquisition Studies, 188-198. Rowley: Newbury House.
Brown, H. D. and H. Lee. 2015. Teaching by Principles: An Interactive Approach to Language Pedagogy. New York: Pearson.
Burton, J. and M. Carroll. 2001. Journal writing as an aid to self-awareness, autonomy, and collaborative learning. In J. Burton and M. Carroll, eds., Journal Writing, 1-7. Alexandria: Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages Inc.
Carson, J. G. and A. Longhini. 2002. Focusing on learning styles and strategies: A diary study in an immersion setting. Language Learning 52, 401-438. [https://doi.org/10.1111/0023-8333.00188]
Chang, J. 2009. Developing self-directed learning by keeping English reflective journals. Journal of Research in Curriculum Instruction 13(4), 697-716. [https://doi.org/10.24231/rici.2009.13.4.697]
Choi, K. S. and J. H. Ma. 2017. The effects of learning logs on English language learners’ test scores, motivation, and a teacher’s lesson planning. Journal of Research in Curriculum & Instruction 21(3), 265-274. [https://doi.org/10.24231/rici.2017.21.3.265]
Friesner, T. and M. Hart. 2005. Learning logs: Assessment or research method. The Electronic Journal of Business Research Mythology 3(2), 117-122.
Kang, M.-H. and M.-R. Park. 2013. Grammar learning through a learning journal as a tool for production practices in university general English classes. English Language & Literature Teaching 19(4), 141-168.
Kemp, J. 2010. The listening log: Motivating autonomous learning. ELT Journal 64(4), 385-395. [https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/ccpo99]
Kim, J., H. J. Lee and J. Y. Lee. 2018. Effects of utilizing learning journal on English language learning: A meta-analysis. Asia-pacific Journal of Multimedia Services Convergent with Art, Humanities, and Sociology 8(2), 433-443. [https://doi.org/10.21742/AJMAHS.2018.02.52]
Kim, H.-B., C. L. Stebbins., J.-H. Chai and J.-K. Song. 2011. Taekwondo training and fitness in female adolescents, Journal of Sports Sciences 29(2), 133-138. [https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2010.525519]
Lee, B. 2008. College students’ experiences of exposure to spoken English: Focusing on the amount of exposure time and types. English Education 63(4), 349-370. [https://doi.org/10.15858/engtea.63.4.200812.349]
Lee, J. and E.-J. Lee. 2013. The effects of writing journals on the English reading and writing ability and the effective domain of high school students. Foreign Languages Education 20(1), 175-202.
Lee, J.-H. and K.-W. Cha. 2019. A study on the effectiveness of machine translators for university freshmen in translating Korean writing into English. Journal of Learner-Centered Curriculum and Instruction 19(8), 155-180. [https://doi.org/10.22251/jlcci.2019.19.8.155]
Lee, J.-H. and K.-W. Cha. 2021. A study on Google Classroom as a tool for the development of the learning model of college English. International Journal of Contents 17(2), 65-76.
Lee, S. 2005. The effects of journal keeping on college students’ English listening comprehension. English Language Teaching 14(4), 305-330.
Lee, T.-K. and H. Lee. 2015. Exploring the effect of reflective journal on high school students’ English writing performance. English 21 28(3), 318-342. [https://doi.org/10.35771/engdoi.2015.28.3.014]
Lee, Y. and K.-W. Cha. 2017. Listening logs for extensive listening in a self-regulated environment. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher 26(5), 271-279. [https://doi.org/10.1007/s40299-017-0347-0]
Lee, Y. 2013. The Effects of Keeping a Learning Diary on Students’ English Competence and Affective Characteristics. Unpublished master’s thesis, Gyeongin National University of Education.
Litzler, M. F. 2014. Independent study logs: Guide and encouraging students in the process of language learning. Journal of Language Teaching and Research 5(5), 994-998. [https://doi.org/10.4304/jltr.5.5.994-998]
Litzler, M. F. and M. Bakieva. 2016. Learning logs in foreign language study: Students views on their usefulness for learner autonomy. Didacitica 29, 65-80.
McIntosh, M. and R. Draper. 2001. Using learning logs in mathematics: Writing to learn. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics 94(7), 554-557. [https://doi.org/10.5951/MT.94.7.0554]
Murray, G. L. 1999. Autonomy and language learning in a simulated environment. System 27, 295-308. [https://doi.org/10.1016/S0346-251X(99)00026-3]
Park, J., B. K. Kim and B. Y. Kim. 2020. The effects of the Korean wave (Hallyu) on attracting international students to higher education institutions in Korea. Global Business Administration Review 17(3), 38-64. [https://doi.org/10.38115/asgba.2020.17.3.38]
Park, S. Y. and E. J. Lee. 2014. The effects of English listening strategy training using a learning log on Korean EFL college students’ listening ability and affective domain. Korean Journal of English Language and Linguistics 14(1), 45-67. [https://doi.org/10.15738/kjell.14.1.201403.45]
Won, J. 2019. How foreign students perceive English-mediated classes in Korea. Journal of Learner-Centered Curriculum and Instruction 19(21), 377-406. [https://doi.org/10.22251/jlcci.2019.19.21.377]
Wu, T. T. 2015. A learning log analysis of an English-reading e-book system combined with a guidance mechanism. Interactive Learning Environments 24(8), 1938-1956. [https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2015.1070272]