The purpose of this study is to explore the applicability of the blog to the
English writing class for the elementary school students and to develop some
practical uses of the blog for self-directed English writing. The program of the
present study was based on Willis\'(1996) model of task-based approach and
Kim\'s(2000) model of web-based teaching and learning. The program was
implemented for 17 weeks, with 35 students of sixth grade in an elementary
school located in Incheon. Six students from each group of high-, middle- and
low-level were closely observed. The data were collected through teacher\'s
observation notes, interviews, questionnaires, students\' journals, writings on the
blogs, and the writing test, and were analyzed in the qualitative and quantitative
ways. The results are as follows: First, task-based English writing activities
through blogging could develop the students\' self-directed attitude to learning
English. Second, the blog activities gave the students much more interest and
confidence in English writing. Third, their writings on the blog showed the
increase in the amount of English use and the variety of words and expressions,
and the use of longer sentences. Considering the results, the blog can be used
for the self-directed English writing by elementary school students.
Key words: self-directed writing, blog