To achieve big goals, you need to create small changes in your routine. That’s why we recommend planning each week, instead of a whole month or year. This makes your goals feel bite-sized and achievable. Use this planner every week to visualize your ambitions and to keep ultra-focused on your progress.

 

On this template there are two sections:

• Your objective, which is a big, ambitious goal — and the reason why you’re learning the language. Common objectives are, for example: Moving to another country, passing a B1 language exam, grow professionally and use the language at work, etc.

• Key result, which is the component of your objective (you may choose to add up to three key results to achieve your objective, depending on how much time you wish to dedicate to your studies). Your key results should be actionable, easy-to-measure targets that will help you towards your objective.

Here’s a good example: My objective is to use daily conversational Italian to be able to run my errands and get around while living in Italy. Key result 1: Practice conversational Italian 3 times per week – Key result 2: Speak with locals 1 time per week – Key result 3: Join an Italian course for 3 months.

Brainstorm activities to avoid boredom

Before you start your language learning schedule, brainstorm some activities that would make language learning a fun and effective process for you. For example:

• Read 5 pages of a book

• Listen to a podcast for 30 minutes

• Watch a show, pausing to repeat pronunciation and note down new vocabulary

• Speak with a friend in the target language

• Immerse yourself in native music and sing the lyrics

After brainstorming some activities, you now have an exciting list to mix up your language learning routine every week. Switch up your activities regularly and you will love the learning process.

3. Create a balanced weekly routine

Although speaking is definitely the best way to learn a foreign language, don’t forget that reading, writing, and listening also play their part too. In fact, by listening to a podcast, you will improve your pronunciation and learn new words; and by writing and reading, you will be able to memorize new vocabulary better (there is a section on the template dedicated to that – don’t forget to review your new words at the end of the week!).

4. Adapt your template to suit your routine

In the template, you will find a section on the time you plan to study and the achieved time. These markers will help you see whether you’re meeting your targets or if you need to take it a little easier on yourself. In the first few weeks, take note of these numbers and see how much time is realistic for your schedule. If your study sessions feel too short, add more minutes. If they feel too long, don’t stress! Focus on becoming a tiny bit better every day.

5. Don’t study every day

You might make a lot of progress if you study the language every day, but you will quickly feel exhausted. Study 5 days a week at the very maximum! If you’re extra passionate and feeling motivated, you can always commit to a very light activity in your rest days, such as listening to music or watching a movie in your target language.

6. Keep track of your progress

After every month, ask yourself the questions below, which will help you plan your next goals:

• Did I reach my goals this month? Why or why not?

• What did I understand the best?

• What did I understand the least?

• Should I switch up my activities next week?

• Should I increase or decrease the amount of time dedicated to learning?

 

If you need extra motivation with your target language, please feel free to reach out! We are a team of passionate and multi-lingual teachers ready to help you learn.