Journalling

white book behind mug
Type: Vocabulary
Originally published on September 12, 2022 and last updated on May 8, 2023

If you’ve ever written in a journal, you know that there’s something about it that feels like an escape. You can write whatever you want, in any way you want to, and no one has to see it but you. It’s the perfect place for self-expression, for getting things off your chest, and for finding out what’s really going on inside of your head.

But some people don’t just keep journals—they also read them back. They love flipping through the pages of their old journals and remembering where they were at different points in their lives. They love being able to see how they’ve changed over time and even how their writing has evolved over the years.

Instructions:
Go through the vocabulary below with your students and ask them to try and use this vocabaulry where possible when discussing the different conversation questions.

Useful Vocabulary

Try and use the following vocabulary when answering the question. Click to look up the definition in the dictionary

  • journal (verb)
  • get something off one's chest (phrase)
  • express (verb)
  • write down (phrasal verb)
  • reflect (verb)
  • analyse (verb)
  • rewarding (adjective)
  • pointless (adjective)

Conversation Questions

My Image
  • What benefits do you think people get from writing a journal?
  • Do you keep a journal?
  • Did you keep a journal when you were younger?
  • Would you like to write a journal?
  • Why do you think people start writing journals and then stop after a few days?
  • If you were going to write a journal what sort of things would you put in it?
  • Do you think writing a journal is a good way to destress?
  • What alternative ways to destress or relax are there which you think are more effective than journalling?
Gregory
This conversation topic was prepared by Gregory

Gregory is a qualified TEFL teacher who has been teaching English as a Foreign Language (ESL) for over a decade. He has taught in-person classes in Spain and to English learners around the world online.