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As is often tradition at the start of a New Year, we begin our InterCom Activity of the Week section with a focus on goal setting for language learners.  With the launch of the new NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements and Can-Do Benchmarks at the ACTFL Convention 2013 (see http://www.actfl.org/publications/guidelines-and-manuals/ncssfl-actfl-can-do-statements), it is an ideal time to help your learners start setting their own learning goals.  We use interpersonal speaking at the novice level as an example, but any level may be used based on your learning context.  

Objective:       To enable learners to set target goals that are meaningful and realistic for the term/class/semester to come.

Resources:      Goal Setting Student Resource Sheet (caslsintercom.uoregon.edu/uploads/contentUploads/201401/05/Goal Setting_activity fillable pdf_01-05-14.pdf)

                        NCSSFL-ACTFL Benchmark Checklist for Interpersonal Communication (http://www.actfl.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/1-InterpersonalCommunication.pdf)

Goal Tracking System (i.e., Linguafolio Online (https://linguafolio.uoregon.edu), an e-portfolio tool, an in-class paper-and-pencil portfolio)

Procedure:    

1. Ensure the benchmarks selected match those appropriate to your proficiency level and mode of communication.  The benchmark resource referenced here is Interpersonal Communication. For the benchmarks at higher proficiency levels see the NCSSFL-ACTFL Global Can-Do Benchmarks (http://www.actfl.org/global_statements).

2. Plan 10 – 15 minutes to work with students in-class to begin the goal setting process using the Goal Setting Student Resource Sheet  (caslsintercom.uoregon.edu/uploads/contentUploads/201401/05/Goal Setting_activity fillable pdf_01-05-14.pdf) and the NCSSFL-ACTFL Benchmark Checklist for Interpersonal Communication (http://www.actfl.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/1-InterpersonalCommunication.pdf).

3. After the initial goal setting activity, have learners revisit their goals weekly and monthly to track their own progress. This can be done in class using a paper-and-pencil portfolio or the newly updated Linguafolio Online (http://casls.uoregon.edu/pages/tools/linguafolio.php). BONUS: To celebrate the launch of the new InterCom we are giving away 100 free student access codes to Linguafolio Online.  The first two people to email Mandy Lindgren <mandyl@uoregon.edu> with the code: InterComLFO14 will receive an access code for 50 one-year student accounts to Linguafolio Online.