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TitleSetting SMARTER Goals!
SourceCASLS
Body

This activity was designed to support all language learners in the creation of specific, measurable goals to which they can be held accountable.  Though perfect for any classroom, this activity would be particularly useful for Facilitated Interdependent Language Learning contexts or other language self-study contexts. As such, instructions in this activity are written with the learner as the targeted audience.

Learning outcomes:
Learners will be able to:

  • Write one or more SMARTER goals
  • Self-monitor progress in working towards those goals

Mode(s): Varies depending on learner choice of goal

Materials: Goal Setting and Accountability video, Goal Tracker worksheet, scratch paper or a digital device for writing, drawing, etc., sticky notes

Procedure:

  1. Think about a goal that you have set for yourself in the past. This goal could be academic, but it could also relate to any other part of your life. Reflect on how well you were able to achieve this goal – were you successful? Why or why not?
  2. Next, reflect on the process of working towards this goal. What made your goal easy or difficult to achieve? What parts of the process were challenging or easy for you? Why? Keep your thoughts from these first two steps in mind as you continue this activity.
  3. Watch the Goal Setting and Accountability video. Take a minute to think about the main points you remember from the video. You might consider…
    • Effective goals should be specific and measurable. You should know what it looks like once you’ve reached your goal.
    • Setting and achieving goals is a process.
    • Goals are dynamic and can be revised at any point.
  4. Now, think about a language goal that you have for yourself. What do you want to be able to do? Picture how reaching this goal might impact your communication in the target language. Write down a few key words to describe these pictured outcomes or draw a picture digitally or on a piece of paper.
  5. Write your goal down on the Goal Tracker worksheet.
  6. Then, think through your goal according to the SMARTER model, filling in the letters S, M, A, R, T, E, and R on the worksheet. Use these guidelines as you work:
    • Specific: What do you want to be able to do and in what context?
    • Measureable: How will you measure success?
    • Attainable: Is this goal realistic for your needs, context and timeframe?
    • Relevant: Is this goal important to you and to what you want to be able to do with language?
    • Time-bound: How long do you want to spend on this goal? How frequently will you work on it?
    • Evaluation: Consistently check in on your goals! Are you making progress towards what you wanted to do? Is it still attainable at this moment?
    •  Reflection: Edit and readjust your goals as necessary! What went well, and what would you change? Would a different approach or timeline work better?
  7. Now, rewrite your goal at the bottom of the worksheet, incorporating each SMARTER element.
  8. To help you keep track of your progress towards your goal, write it down on a sticky note, and put it in a spot designated for goals (e.g., a wall, your mirror) that are in progress, or create a digital document to track your progress.  Make sure this is a spot that you will see often.
  9. Keep track of your progress on this goal within your chosen timeline, and evaluate if you have been able to achieve it as planned. If you have not achieved it as written, or need to adjust your expectations, no problem. Just revise it as needed! Reflect on your progress and write down these reflections in the R section of the handout as you go.
  10. Once you feel as though you have reached your goal, celebrate it! Move your sticky note to a “completed goals” section of your space or document. Remember to reflect on each of your goals once you feel like they have been achieved noting what went well, and what you would change if working on a similar goal in the future.
Publishdate2023-01-30 02:15:02