Maintain Your Motivation: 10 Micro-Goal Ideas for ESL Learners

Most of us have been there. We've made a commitment to learn something new, and we've even made some progress. In the beginning, it was so very exciting to start working toward this new learning goal. But now, we're several weeks, months--or maybe even several years--into the journey, and quite honestly, we want to give up (to stop working on something due to frustration or because it seems to difficult). It just doesn't seem fun anymore. Where's the excitement and the motivation we felt at the beginning? Those are the moments when we start saying things to ourselves, such as . . .

• "Why did I even start working toward this goal?" 
• "This is too hard. I'm just going to throw in the towel." ("Throw in the towel" is an expression that means to give-up or stop working on a goal or project that seems too difficult.)
• "Maybe I'm just one of those people who can't learn this stuff."
• "It shouldn't be this hard to stay motivated, right?" 

If you're anything like me, these thoughts might sound all-too-familiar. You're on this journey to learning English (or any language, for that matter), and it just feels like you'll never be able to understand or speak fluently! 

Here's what I have to say to those of you who are struggling to believe that you can do it. Don't give up! Seriously, don't give up! It is possible!! You just might need to reframe your goal. Instead of comparing where you are on the journey to the end goal of English fluency, or with having enough English to get the job you're hoping for, set some micro-goals.

Here are ten ideas to get you started:

1. Learn five English words this week that relate to a specific theme or topic. Try to use one of the words in an English conversation.
2. Listen to 10-minutes of an English podcast on three different days this week. Use English to say or write two things that you learned from listening.
3. Read a paragraph in English two times this week. Write 3-5 questions in English about each of the paragraphs.
4. Set a timer for two minutes, and commit to thinking only in English during that time. Even if you are only saying a list of words that you know and not complete sentences, you'll be training your brain to think in English. 
5. Choose a familiar topic that you know several English words and phrases about. Talk to yourself in English about that topic. (This is a great one for those times you're driving alone in your car!)
6. Find a copy of a book in English and listen to the audio recording while following along. Focus only on pronunciation of the words. Notice how some words blend into the words that follow.
7. Read a paragraph in English that is just a little above your English level. Find three words that you don't quite understand, and try to use context clues (not AI or a translator app) to figure out what the words could mean. Write down your ideas.
8. Practice two or three sentences you can say when you go shopping or when you're at the gym. Then, force yourself to speak to an English speaker using one or more of those sentences.
9. Find an object in your house like an apple, a picture, a clothing item, etc. Use English to say as much as you can about that item. Then, look up two or three things you wanted to say about the item, but you didn't know how. (For this one, it's okay if you want to use AI or a translator app.)
10. Search YouTube for a video in English that interests you.Turn on English subtitles and slow down the speed of the video. Listen carefully to one or two sentences at a time, paying attention to the intonation of the words being spoken. Then, pause the video and try to repeat the sentences in English. Do this for 10 minutes on three different days of the week. 

Which option are you planning to try?

Are you looking for some additional English instruction and motivation, click here to purchase a one-on-one coaching session with Toward the Goal English.