Optimizing Students' Journal to Enhance Students' Motivation in Learning English

Abstract

This study aims at identifying to what extent students’ journal becomes an appropriate way to enhance the students’ motivation in learning English. Based on the preliminary findings, it was found that most of the eighth grade students of a junior high school in Surakarta, Central Java had low motivation in learning English. The data were collected by using observations, interviews, questionnaires, photograph, notes and document analysis. The research findings indicated that students’ journal enhanced students’ motivation in learning English. The improvement included showing appropriate behavior, such as most the fact that students paid attention to the teacher’s explanation and they involved actively in learning process.