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module 3

Principles of goal setting

45 minutes

Objectives

  • Identify 5 principles of goal setting

  • Describe why each principle is important

  • Provide a brief example of each principle

introduction

Setting meaningful goals with students is the key to their success. What components make a goal meaningful? What principles can we use to make sure their goals will drive progress?

consider

Write about a time you set a goal and succeeded. Then write about a time when you set agoal and did not succeed. What did you do differently? What factors do you think played into your success (or lack of success)?

lesson

read

Read this article about SMART goals. You have probably encountered this method in the past, but this article focuses on using SMART specifically for language-learning goals. Take notes on anything you find particularly different or interesting.

watch

This video describes the importance of having specific, measurable goals in language learning, especially in the earlier stages of learning a language. Consider how you could use his advice to encourage and help your students succeed as they work through the "heavy lifting" stages of language learning.

review

You'll have access to a hard copy of this document during class to remind you of SMART principles. Each one has a brief, simple example of one non-SMART and one SMART goal.

practice

For each sample goal below, identify the components of SMART as well as whether any components are missing. If so, rewrite the goal to include all SMART components.

Example

Paloma is comfortable in conversational English but struggles with terminology that is field-specific. Her goal is to be able to conduct an in-person bank transaction by 4 weeks from now.

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I would respond:

S = in-person bank transaction

M = ?

A = 4 weeks from now is difficult but manageable

R = material could be realistically covered in 4 weeks for Paloma’s skill level

T = 4 weeks from now

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To cover the M, I would suggest “Be able to conduct an in-person bank transaction with no assistance from a translator (even a phone) by 4 weeks from now.” Her success will be measured by both a) whether she does an in-person transaction, and b) whether she uses help or not.

scenario 1

Hien is just starting a coding boot camp to make a career change, but he is worried that he won’t be able to keep up with the language. His current career is in the restaurant business, and he lacks a lot of technological terminology. His goal is to pass his first exam, which will take place in three weeks.

scenario 2

Carmen is an advanced English speaker, but would like to apply to graduate school. She got by in her undergrad, but is now worried that her entrance essay will not be strong enough to be accepted. Her goal is to draft a 2-page personal statement that will be competitive in three months, when she wants to submit her application.

scenario 3

Mateo likes to play in a band with his friends, and they want to start doing some gigs to make money. None of them speak a lot of English, but he wants to be able to negotiate with potential clients. His goal is to learn to negotiate cost of services in four weeks.

scenario 4

Sofia enjoys photography, and she wants to start a small company. Her goal is to build a website for her company that is written in professional-sounding English.

scenario 5

Jacob attends another English class during the week, as he is a beginner and is trying to learn quickly. He is struggling with understanding instructions in class. His goal is to feel confident responding to teachers’ questions in three weeks.

assessment

  • Specific

  • Measurable

  • Ambitious

  • Realistic

  • Time-bound

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Using the list of the SMART principles of goal setting above, write a short response for each that includes an explanation of why the principle is important to include in a goal, as well as an example of that principle (i.e., “By next week,” would be sufficient for “Time-bound”).

COMPARE
YOUR
ANSWER

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 Specific: Goals need to be specific so that we can have both measurable and identifiable progress.

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Measurable: If we can't measure the goal, we won't know when or if we've completed it.

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Ambitious: We need to leave our comfort zones to make progress.

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Realistic: We need to know our limits to avoid becoming discouraged over and over again.

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Time-bound: This provides us with a specific time to reflect on our progress and successes.

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Make sure you have an example for each one.

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