Chapter 2. The Learner Diary as an Integral Part of the University
Anja Burkert
Abstract
In this chapter I will focus on the use of learner diaries in the university classroom as a significant aspect of a pedagogy for autonomy. I will first look back at my beginnings by introducing diary writing in my English language classroom and then describe, in some depth, how I am using diaries today. For this purpose, I will concentrate on questions such as which functions a diary can and should fulfill, which formats it can take, and how learners generally perceive the keeping of a diary in a university language course. I will also raise the question of how to possibly deal with learners’ reluctance towards the keeping of a diary and whether it always seems necessary to make diary writing an obligatory component of a language course. In addition, I will provide multiple examples of learner diary entries to illustrate the various points discussed.
Resumen
El diario de aprendiente como una parte integral del aula universitaria
En este capítulo me centraré en el uso de los diarios del alumno en el aula universitaria como aspecto significativo de una pedagogía para la autonomía. Primero recordaré mis comienzos con la introducción de la escritura de diarios en mi clase de inglés y luego describiré, con cierta profundidad, cómo utilizo los diarios en la actualidad. Para ello, me centraré en cuestiones como qué funciones puede y debe cumplir un diario, qué formatos puede adoptar y cómo los estudiantes perciben en general el hecho de llevar un diario en un curso universitario de idiomas. También plantearé la cuestión de cómo tratar la reticencia de los estudiantes a llevar un diario, y si siempre parece necesario hacer de la escritura de un diario un componente obligatorio de un curso de idiomas. Además, presentaré varios ejemplos de entradas de diario de los alumnos para ilustrar los distintos puntos tratados.
About the Contributor
Anja Burkert (PhD) is a teacher of English (and French) at the University of Graz, Austria. She holds a PhD in language teaching methodology and is especially interested in the promotion of learner autonomy among her students and the use of English for academic purposes. She obtained a teaching award from her university in 2010. From 2008 until 2022 she was a member of the Learner Autonomy Special Interest Group (LASIG) committee of IATEFL and served as LASIG Showcase Day and local events organiser.
Citation
Burkert, A. (2023). The learner diary as an integral part of the university. In C. Ludwig, M. G. Tassinari, A. Ruiz Guerrero, & K. Nagao (Eds.), Developing learner autonomy in foreign language learning: Papers from the Independent Learning Association Conference, Mexico, June 2021 (pp. 39–54). Candlin & Mynard. https://doi.org/10.47908/29/2
In this chapter I will focus on the use of learner diaries in the university classroom as a significant aspect of a pedagogy for autonomy. I will first look back at my beginnings by introducing diary writing in my English language classroom and then describe, in some depth, how I am using diaries today. For this purpose, I will concentrate on questions such as which functions a diary can and should fulfill, which formats it can take, and how learners generally perceive the keeping of a diary in a university language course. I will also raise the question of how to possibly deal with learners’ reluctance towards the keeping of a diary and whether it always seems necessary to make diary writing an obligatory component of a language course. In addition, I will provide multiple examples of learner diary entries to illustrate the various points discussed.
Resumen
El diario de aprendiente como una parte integral del aula universitaria
En este capítulo me centraré en el uso de los diarios del alumno en el aula universitaria como aspecto significativo de una pedagogía para la autonomía. Primero recordaré mis comienzos con la introducción de la escritura de diarios en mi clase de inglés y luego describiré, con cierta profundidad, cómo utilizo los diarios en la actualidad. Para ello, me centraré en cuestiones como qué funciones puede y debe cumplir un diario, qué formatos puede adoptar y cómo los estudiantes perciben en general el hecho de llevar un diario en un curso universitario de idiomas. También plantearé la cuestión de cómo tratar la reticencia de los estudiantes a llevar un diario, y si siempre parece necesario hacer de la escritura de un diario un componente obligatorio de un curso de idiomas. Además, presentaré varios ejemplos de entradas de diario de los alumnos para ilustrar los distintos puntos tratados.
About the Contributor
Anja Burkert (PhD) is a teacher of English (and French) at the University of Graz, Austria. She holds a PhD in language teaching methodology and is especially interested in the promotion of learner autonomy among her students and the use of English for academic purposes. She obtained a teaching award from her university in 2010. From 2008 until 2022 she was a member of the Learner Autonomy Special Interest Group (LASIG) committee of IATEFL and served as LASIG Showcase Day and local events organiser.
Citation
Burkert, A. (2023). The learner diary as an integral part of the university. In C. Ludwig, M. G. Tassinari, A. Ruiz Guerrero, & K. Nagao (Eds.), Developing learner autonomy in foreign language learning: Papers from the Independent Learning Association Conference, Mexico, June 2021 (pp. 39–54). Candlin & Mynard. https://doi.org/10.47908/29/2
Information About the Book
Title: Developing learner autonomy in foreign language learning: Papers from the Independent Learning Association Conference, Mexico
Editors: Christian Ludwig, Maria Giovanna Tassinari, Adelina Ruiz Guerrero, and Kazuko Nagao
Publication date: December 2023
Read more...
Title: Developing learner autonomy in foreign language learning: Papers from the Independent Learning Association Conference, Mexico
Editors: Christian Ludwig, Maria Giovanna Tassinari, Adelina Ruiz Guerrero, and Kazuko Nagao
Publication date: December 2023
Read more...