In today’s world, writing is no longer a natural activity, especially for the younger generation. They look upon this activity as too complex, overwhelming and sometimes irrelevant. These attitudes are amplified when having to write in a second language. In EFL tertiary education, the expectations of academic achievement have become far greater than actual student capabilities. This study examined the possibility of using journal writing, both with and without an audience, as a way to address this issue. It is believed that by engaging students in the act of writing without the burden of an academic topic, it will indirectly impact students’ academic performance. Seventy-six undergraduate students in three groups (one control and two experimental) were involved. Data was collected in the form of pre-test and post-test writing, student focus group meetings and an interview with the instructor. From the study, it was found that dialogue journal writing with an audience contributed to an increase in the proficiency level of students, especially in terms of their organizational skills. In addition, students who undertook journal writing expressed gains in self-confidence, and were aware of the role of journal writing in this. Finally, journal writing was found to offer insight to the instructor with regard to what is happening under the surface of a class, and thus better address students’ needs. Keywords: EFL, academic writing, writing proficiency, journal writing

中文翻译：

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期刊写作：对学生写作能力和学生/老师态度的影响

在当今世界，写作已不再是一种自然的活动，尤其是对于年轻一代而言。他们认为这项活动过于复杂，势不可挡，有时甚至无关紧要。当不得不用第二种语言写作时，这些态度被放大了。在EFL高等教育中，对学业成就的期望已远远超过实际学生的能力。这项研究探讨了使用有或没有读者的期刊写作作为解决此问题的方法的可能性。人们认为，通过在没有学术主题负担的情况下让学生参与写作活动，将间接影响学生的学习成绩。分为三组（一组为对照组，两组为实验组）的76名本科生参加。数据以测试前和测试后写作的形式收集，学生焦点小组会议和对老师的采访。从该研究中发现，与听众进行对话日记写作有助于提高学生的熟练水平，特别是在他们的组织技能方面。此外，从事日记写作的学生会表现出自信心，并意识到日记写作在其中的作用。最后，发现期刊写作可以使教师了解班级表面下发生的事情，从而更好地满足学生的需求。关键字：EFL，学术写作，写作能力，期刊写作 特别是在组织技能方面。此外，从事日记写作的学生会表现出自信心，并意识到日记写作在其中的作用。最后，发现期刊写作可以使教师了解班级表面下发生的事情，从而更好地满足学生的需求。关键字：EFL，学术写作，写作能力，期刊写作 特别是在组织技能方面。此外，从事日记写作的学生会表现出自信心，并意识到日记写作在其中的作用。最后，发现期刊写作可以使教师了解班级表面下发生的事情，从而更好地满足学生的需求。关键字：EFL，学术写作，写作能力，期刊写作