How to Make a Language Learning Plan

Justlearn

2/15/2021

3 minute read

Learning requires a plan. It doesn't matter if you want to get an A on the final exam or become a professional athlete, without a goal, learning is wishful thinking at most.

Learning a foreign language is a fun and exciting journey, but you can't just think, "I want to be fluent in Spanish." How will you make that happen?

Creating a comprehensive language learning plan is the key to achieving your goals. This is especially important for those doing self-study because you're on your own. Don't let the amount of material and resources out there overwhelm you. In this post, I will ease the frustration and show you how to make a language learning plan.

SMART Goals

I believe this is the foundation of creating a language learning plan. I'm sure that you have heard of SMART goals:

* Specific

* Measurable

* Achievable

* Realistic

* Timely

Let's start with specific, say you want to learn French. This is way too broad of a goal and you'll eventually hit a dead end. Ask yourself why you want to learn French. Or what concept in the French language do you want to master. You can pick something like speaking French for business or learning irregular verb conjugations.

The next one is measurable where you keep track of yourself. If your goal is to learn how to have a basic conversation, then you'll need to learn phrases to introduce yourself.

Achievable is where you put a number on your goal. You might want to improve your French vocabulary, so you can learn 5-10 new words a week.

Being realistic about your language study is one of the key factors. If you are working 40+ hours a week and have a family, it's unlikely that you can dedicate 6 hours a day to language study. If you don't look at your daily life and match it up to your study plan, you'll be less likely to succeed.

The last goal is timely which is putting an expiration date on your plan. If you give yourself 1 month to learn up to 100+ new words that put some pressure on you. It's also a great way to hold yourself accountable for your learning. And if you fall short, don't worry. It allows you to revise your plan.

Consistency

You have to practice every day to get better at something, there are no shortcuts. If you want to lose weight, you have to make a plan to eat right and go to the gym a couple of times a week. Learning a foreign language is no different.

Improving your language skills requires a certain level of dedication to your plan. If you fall behind once, that's okay, try your best to get back on it. Months of consistency and focus can put you ten steps ahead.

Get a Tutor

Getting a tutor or signing up for a language platform is a must when you're making a language learning plan. It will include if not all, most of the resources you'll need to guide you. It's also like a virtual classroom in a way that will keep you motivated to learn. Finding the right platform for your language learning plan can be confusing, there are so many! Justlearn can save the day with hundreds of videos that explain everything from culture to tricky grammar concepts. You can even sign up for group or individual lessons that match your language goals.

Learning a language on your own can leave you feeling lost and confused. It doesn't have to be that way. With a carefully outlined study plan, you'll create a momentum that will put you on the path to success.

How do you plan a language learning?

I believe this is the foundation of creating a language learning plan. I'm sure that you have heard of SMART goals: * Specific * Measurable * Achievable * Realistic * Timely Let's start with specific, say you want to learn French. This is way too broad of a goal and you'll eventually hit a dead end. Ask yourself why you want to learn French. Or what concept in the French language do you want to master. You can pick something like speaking French for business or learning irregular verb conjugations. The next one is measurable where you keep track of yourself. If your goal is to learn how to have a basic conversation, then you'll need to learn phrases to introduce yourself. Achievable is where you put a number on your goal. You might want to improve your French vocabulary, so you can learn 5-10 new words a week. Being realistic about your language study is one of the key factors. If you are working 40+ hours a week and have a family, it's unlikely that you can dedicate 6 hours a day to language study. If you don't look at your daily life and match it up to your study plan, you'll be less likely to succeed. The last goal is timely which is putting an expiration date on your plan. If you give yourself 1 month to learn up to 100+ new words that put some pressure on you. It's also a great way to hold yourself accountable for your learning. And if you fall short, don't worry. It allows you to revise your plan.

What is the best way to learn a new language on your own?

?Getting a tutor or signing up for a language platform is a must when you're making a language learning plan. It will include if not all, most of the resources you'll need to guide you. It's also like a virtual classroom in a way that will keep you motivated to learn. Finding the right platform for your language learning plan can be confusing, there are so many! Justlearn can save the day with hundreds of videos that explain everything from culture to tricky grammar concepts. You can even sign up for group or individual lessons that match your language goals.