A study undertaken in Japan investigated the degree to which students' use of English as a Second Language in journal writing outside of class corresponded to their performance on language tests. Specifically, the correct use of articles in the position and function of "a, an, and the" was examined. Subjects were students in a secondary school specializing in language training. The experimental group, 132 students in 6 second-semester classes, was instructed in the use of articles; the control group of 222 students in 6 first-semester classes, was not. Student journal extracts were randomly sampled to measure use of articles, and results were compared with quiz scores. It was found that neither group showed any significant improvement in use of articles in journal writing; however, the scores on quizzes in the experimental group consistently increased as they were given instruction on article use. Results suggest that while the students were gaining knowledge from instruction, they were not applying it in practice. (MSE)