About the Quill English Journals
Structured journaling moves the locus of learning closer to our students, providing them with a stable platform to explore and express their own experiences in English. While this series was specifically designed for ESL lessons, it can be used by families and teachers anywhere.
These Quill English Journals work wonders in dynamic classrooms. They can also be used in online tutoring sessions, with students taking photos of their work and sharing them with their teacher. The idea is to independently write the original on the left and then copy it on the right side after the teacher checks it. At a pace of 2 pages per week (writing once and copying once), 1 full journal will be comfortably completed in each academic semester. Teachers are encouraged to do more than just improve grammar and spelling: try to help your students say what they want to. Help them find and clarify their voice!
Each journal has clear suggested use instructions. This is from Journal #1, designed for use in the third semester of an intensive English program.
There are 3 levels, with significant design changes to accommodate young learners’ growth. The Beginner series has a large grid for writing; the Intermediate series features a smaller grid and introduces the concept of ‘naming events’ that occur. The two Advanced Journals are designed for maximum flexibility and can be revisited again and again as young learners gradually become seasoned learners who are still young at heart.
For journalers using the intermediate and advanced books, we suggest they maintain a small dedicated notebook to keep all of their new “juicy” vocabulary terms. In these higher series, they are asked to independently translate and use three or more new vocabulary terms in each week’s writing.
Quill English Student Journals
Beginner Journal #1
The first and second images are consecutive pages. With the date on top, an inspirational quote, space for 3 written entries, and a question on the bottom, each page can be copied once to practice better writing skills. Artistically inclined students are encouraged to draw a picture for each of their entries on the copy page.
Beginner Journal #2
The four Beginner Journals are similarly formatted, each new page featuring a quote, space to write about three events, and a guided open question at the bottom. Each journal also has a unique “All About Me” page, featured in the last image, here.
Beginner Journal #3
A few pages at the beginning and end of each of our Journals are free pages that often feature artwork to build around. Sometimes, adventurous journalers will find riddles to puzzle over 😊
Beginner Journal #4
The first two pages of each of the Journals, featured here in the first two images, are a brief introduction to our educational philosophy and our suggestions for getting the most educational value out of these materials.
Intermediate Journal #5
Journals 5-8 are our intermediate series, with significant changes. The background grid has been compressed, challenging our young journalers to refine their motor skills. Another change is the concept of ‘naming’ events that occur. Additionally, instead of a simple one-sentence Q and A at the bottom, there is a longer writing prompt.
Intermediate Journal #6
The third picture here shows our regular “juicy review” pages. Independently, in a game with a partner, or in an activity with their teacher, 10 of the more challenging new words they’ve learned recently can be reviewed here. We believe that regular cumulative review is an often-overlooked and underused strategy.
Intermediate Journal #7
The first image is the suggested use page for the Intermediate Journals (#5-8). The second is an extra page, challenging our journalers to find as many possible careers and relationships as possible, using every letter of the alphabet. Finally, another change in the Intermediate Journals is the addition of more structured practice for goal-oriented thinking.
Intermediate Journal #8
This is the final Intermediate Journal. Featured first are two of the main pages. The last image is a special challenge at the back for our most intrepid journalers. Take your time and see if you can figure it out!
Advanced Journal #9
The first image here is the suggest usage for the two Advanced Journals. The second is one more fun page to practice those crucial avenues into vibrant descriptive writing. The third image is a standard page, featuring the Advanced Journal layout. As this was written for high school students, there is significantly less guidance than before. Each week prompts the journaler to expand on a single event and to write about a different topic at the bottom each week.
Advanced Journal #10
The first two images are of standard left-side pages. The final image is of some additional food for thought that’s at the end of Advanced Journals 9 and 10 to help get the creative juices flowing. Journals 9 and 10 were written to be more open-ended and can be revisited again and again. As age and wisdom begin sneaking up on them ever more, a thoughtful journaler may find their changing perspective a very enriching experience.
Quill English Academy 