In this lesson, we will explore the concept of goal setting and its significance. Goal setting is not only a skill but also a mindset that can significantly impact your personal and academic success. We’ll discuss why setting goals is essential and the various benefits it offers in various aspects of life.
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A. Vocabulary: Before we begin, test your understanding of the following words. Write the word before its meaning.
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goal motivation specific realistic reflection
achievable visualize measurable collaborate commitment
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- _______ Something you want to achieve or a target you aim for.
- _______ Something that you can really do or make happen.
- _______ The reason that makes you want to do something or try your best.
- _______ To make pictures in your mind about something you want to happen.
- _______ When you know exactly what you want to do or have.
- _______ Something you can count or see to know if you’re getting closer to your goal.
- _______ When something can happen and is not too hard or impossible.
- _______ To work together with others, like a team.
- _______ Thinking about what you did and what you learned from it.
- _______ Making a promise to keep trying and not give up on your goal.
Here are some advantages of setting goals:
- Direction and Clarity: Setting goals gives you a clear sense of where you’re heading. It’s like having a roadmap for your life. When you know your destination, you can plan how to get there.
- Motivation and Focus: Goals provide motivation by giving you something to work towards. They help you stay on track and avoid distractions. Instead of wandering aimlessly, you have a purpose.
- Measurable Progress: Goals let you measure your progress. You can see how far you’ve come and what’s left to achieve. This helps you stay accountable and adjust your actions as needed.
- Personal Growth: Working towards goals pushes you to grow. You learn new things, gain skills, and become more resilient. It’s about becoming a better version of yourself.
- Time Management: Setting goals forces you to manage your time effectively. By breaking big goals into smaller tasks and prioritizing them, you learn how to make the most of your time.A GOAL should be “SMART“. This acronym means the 5 characteristics of a GOAL as follows:
Specific: Specific goals are well-defined and clear. They answer the questions: What do you want to achieve? Why is it important? Who is involved? Where will it happen? When will it be achieved? For example, instead of a vague goal like “Get in shape,” a specific goal would be “Lose 10 pounds in 3 months by jogging 3 times a week.”
Measurable: Measurable goals include criteria to track your progress and determine when you’ve achieved them. They involve quantifiable metrics or indicators. For instance, if your goal is to save money, you might specify “Save $200 per month” to measure your progress.
Attainable: Attainable goals are realistic and achievable given your current resources, skills, and circumstances. They challenge you but are within the realm of possibility. Setting a goal to become an astronaut without relevant qualifications and training would not be attainable.
Realistic: Realistic goals are grounded in reality and align with your long-term objectives and constraints. They consider factors like time, money, and resources. Pursuing a goal that doesn’t fit with your overall life plan or is too far outside your capabilities may not be realistic.
Time-Bounded: Time-bound goals have a defined timeframe or deadline. This element creates a sense of urgency and helps you focus your efforts. For example, setting a goal to complete a project within a specific time frame, like “Finish the project by the end of next month,” adds a time-bound aspect to your goal.
Difference between “attainable” and “realistic”.
Attainable: This means a goal you can reach, like something you can actually do. It’s like saying, “I can do it if I try my best.” For example, if you want to learn 100 new English words in a month and you have enough time to study, that’s attainable because you can achieve it with effort.
Realistic: This is about setting goals that make sense for your life and situation. It’s like asking, “Does it fit with what I’m doing now, and is it a good idea?” For instance, if you want to learn 1,000 new English words in a week, it might not be realistic because it’s too much in too little time. It’s important to choose goals that match your life and what you can do.
In simple words, attainable is about “Can I do it?” and realistic is about “Should I do it considering everything in my life?” So, when you set a goal, you want it to be something you can do and something that makes sense for you.
B. WARM UP: “Truth” or “Goal” (10 points)
Read the following sentences and identify which is a truth for you and which is a goal.
1. _____ My goal is to speak English more confidently in class.
2. _____ I have learned to write video scripts with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.
3. _____ I want to create an online store where I can sell products or offer services.
4. _____ I plan to research an English-speaking country and plan a trip to a famous tourist destination there.
5. _____ I have learned how to express myself effectively in English when presenting a simple vlog about my daily life or experiences.
6. _____ I aim to prepare for university interviews in English, practicing common interview questions and improving my responses.
7. _____ My goal is to craft a resume that stands out to potential employers.
8. _____ I have learned how to discuss my favorite free time activities in English, like playing sports, reading books, or watching movies.
9. _____ I have learned how to describe my best friend in English.
10. _____ I aim to understand Western festivals like Christmas, New Year, and Valentine’s Day and learn how to greet people during these occasions in English.
11. _____ My goal is to speak confidently and persuasively in English when appearing in promotional videos.
12. _____ I want to start an English blog to share my thoughts, experiences, and interests with a wider audience.
13. _____ I have learned how to write engaging YouTube video scripts.
14. _____ I have learned how to demonstrate cooking a simple menu in English.
15. _____ I want to learn useful English phrases for asking directions and ordering food when I travel.
16. _____ I have learned how to express my feelings and opinions about household chores in English, such as whether I like or dislike doing them.
17. _____ My goal is to write better English paragraphs and essays.
18. _____ My goal is to deliver news broadcasts in English that are easy for viewers to understand.
19. _____ I have learned how to write clear and concise emails that convey my message accurately and politely.
20. _____ My goal is to create a professional English resume that highlights my skills and experiences for my university interview.
C. Writing Activity: Write down 5 learning goals that you would like to achieve this term, and then share them by reading them aloud. (5 points)
D. Goal Poster Activity: Create a visual representation of your English goals. You can draw, write, and use images to illustrate your goal. Be creative and make it colorful and motivational. (5 points)
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