Making Short Term Goals For Language Learning

Cover of How to Learn Any Language

by H Gordon

Learning a language is definitely not the easiest thing in the world. Many people start out with great intentions, only to lose steam a few days or weeks in. What's the reason for this? Why is it so hard to stay on track when you want to learn a new language?

Well, one of the biggest mistakes that people make is that they don't set definite goals for themselves. They have this vague idea or notion that they "would like" to learn a language.

So they buy a language program and start out. However they realize that they have tackled a huge monster and then they lose resolve and peter out.

One way to resolve this problem and stay on task is to make smaller, short term goals that actually have a tangible endpoint. Saying you "want to learn a language" is too vague, that's why it suddenly seems impossible.

But, if you make a goal that in three weeks you'd like to be able to comfortably order lunch in the language that you want to learn, then you are well on your way to success. Or, say you want to be able to basically understand a Spanish TV sitcom within three months. This is a tangible goal, and is much more likely to get you results than saying you'd "like to learn Spanish."

Once you've set some goals for yourself, then the best thing to do is to work backwards and see what steps it's going to take to get you there. If you want to be able to listen to the Spanish sitcom, then you should definitely focus on listening as your main form of learning.

If you want to order lunch, start out with the basics of greeting people, then move on and make sure that you learn most of the vocabulary you'd need for food and a restaurant, and how to ask for the check, etc.

Don't stress too much about grammar - your goal is to understand and be understood. It's OK if you get a few things wrong. In fact, be prepared and willing to make mistakes - this is the best way to learn!

This language learning philosophy is taught by many omniglots. You have to start speaking the language to learn it. You have to have a need to use it rather than a want. Making those short term goals is a great way to make that happen.

If you want more information on tips and tricks that will help you learn a new language more quickly and easily, check out our new article on how to learn any language.

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