January is as we know it, not just the start of the year but the start of new year resolutions that sometimes do not even make it to the end of the month. I’m sure that we have all shared the experience of planning so many resolutions, goals and achievements, only to find that by the end of the year they were still no where near being accomplished. Well that was then and this is now! So what can we do to ensure that we maximise our time, efforts and achieve the success that we desire for 2020 in learning a new language?

First and foremost, we need to set SMART goals!

S -Specific

M – Measurable

A – Attainable

R -Realistic

T – Timely

How do we achieve these goals? Initially we need to take some time out to think about exactly what it is we want, then we need to look at practical ways of achieving such goals. Very importantly, we need to list our goals down with a space underneath for the pathways and techniques that will allow us to get there. We need to be realistic and evaluate how this can be done. And lastly we need to look at a reasonable time frame that this could happen in. For example you may want to broaden your vocabulary in the target language that you wish to learn.

There are some areas that will need work on to achieve such goals. Focus, dedication and sacrifice are three key areas that need to be improved upon. Focus assists in manufacturing more time for working on targeted goals. For example learning to eliminate distractions.

Dedication is very important. One must be consistent as the famous saying says ‘Consistency is the mother of all mastery.’ It takes 21 days for a reoccurring action to become a natural habit.

Sacrifice is one that most tend to struggle with. Have you ever noticed that the moment there is work to be done, someone is having a party or event that requires your attendance! Or your favourite TV series has a new season. The correct discipline must be applied, you need to try to follow along with your plan. It is vital to remember that what we put in is what we get out.

Another step is a change in lifestyle patterns. Perhaps going to bed earlier in order to wake up earlier and conduct some work while it is too early for distracting phone calls or messages. In fact a good general practice would be to not use your phone for the first hour after you have woken up. This will benefit in many ways as the brain is at it’s peak and ready to soak in knowledge unless of course, you are using it do language lesson.

Here are 5 tips to get you started:

Tip 1. Set a certain time every day to work on your language skills. Perhaps you will set aside 20 or 30 minutes to work on practicing a new language everyday.

Tip 2. Make a goal of how much vocabulary that you want to learn each week, for example 21 words a week. This can be broken down into 3 new words per day. It is also important to learn phrases too. It is advisable to learn one a day which includes the vocabulary that you are trying to learn.

Tip 3. Ensure to listen to or watch material in the target language every day for at least 5 minutes. This can be done during downtime such as washing the dishes and listening to French radio or watching a show on YouTube. Podcasts are also great to listen to on the way to work. Reading books, playing games or using language learning apps such as Duolingo are also very useful.

Tip 4. be sure to practice speaking your target language with someone who is a native or a proficient speaker regularly. Perhaps once a week would be great.

Tip 5. Plan a yearly trip to a country that speaks your new founded target language.

Before you know it, you will become comfortably conversant in your new language and may be able to think about other ways that you can use it like perhaps in association with your career or a new job.

Why not get started by clicking the link to learn French, right here on Magnifique Lifestyle.

I wish you every success in all your endeavours, so go for it and achieve your dreams!

Bon chance (good luck)