Blogging

For Tao Yuran.



We talked about his project a little bit last time.

He wants to do some research about adopting blogging as a method to teach writing. Some second language teachers encourage their students to blog in attempted to improve their writing. Tao Yuran asked me about my opinion on blogging. I stated that even though I blog sometimes, I am unsure of the usefulness of blogging in a second language.

First, I wonder how blogging can actually help second language learners with their writing. I believe in the principle "practice makes perfect". However, I wonder how would I improve my writing if no one corrects it for me since I would just repeat the same mistakes.

Second, I have more confidence to blog in Chinese than in English. I guess that is because Chinese is my first language. I have more confidence to use the language that I have known for over 20 years. I don't really want people to find English grammar mistakes in my blog. This is the main reason making me hesitant to blog in English.

Finally, I don't know what to write in my blog because it is open to the public. A lot of people blog because they want to share their ideas, opinions, daily lives, and even their feeling with others. I don't share my feelings with the public, instead I have something called a diary. The only place I would put my personal feelings is in a diary. I feel it is the same as being naked in public if I write my personal feelings in blog. Concerning my daily life, I feel that everyday is almost the same. I see nothing of worth in my daily life to share with others. With respect to sharing ideas and opinions with other people, I do so sometimes, but I carefully select my opinions and audiences beforehand.

Overall, blogging in English might be a good way for some people to practice their writing, but it might be not a good way for me, unless it is a requirement from my teacher.