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Millions of people make resolutions every New Year (or any significant milestone). Many learners set inspiring goals to acquire new skills, explore new academic fields, or develop better study habits. But how often do these resolutions stick? And how can you turn your learning-related goals into lasting habits? This post dives into the science of resolutions and practical strategies to make your learning commitments stick.

Why do learning resolutions fail?

that the majority of New Year’s resolutions fail by February. When it comes to learning, the reasons often include overly ambitious goals, lack of clear plans and failure to sustain motivation over time.

One main reason resolutions fail is that they are not specific enough. Goals like "get fit" or "learn a language" are too vague and don’t include steps to take. Without a clear plan, it’s easy to feel lost and lose motivation.

For example, it’s one thing to decide, “I’m going to learn French this year,” but without a structured plan, consistent practice and measurable benchmarks, the resolve often fizzles out.

Another factor is having unrealistic expectations. While it's good to be ambitious, setting too high goals can cause frustration and burnout. For example, trying to master a skill in just a few weeks ignores the time and effort needed to improve.

Distractions and other priorities can slow down progress. Life demands, like work or family, can easily push resolutions aside if they aren't included in everyday routines.

How long does it take to form a habit?

One key to sticking to a learning resolution is habit formation. Popular belief often quotes the “21-day rule,” but research says differently. A 2009 study published in the found that it takes an average of 66 days to form a new habit.

However, this number varies based on personal factors, the difficulty of the habit and the surroundings. For instance, if your goal is to study for 20 minutes each day, it may feel more comfortable after a few weeks of practice. In contrast, picking up a harder learning habit, like spending two hours a day studying Mandarin grammar, could take much longer to become a regular part of your routine.

Strategies for making resolutions stick

1. Start small and specific

Instead of setting a big goal like “become fluent in Spanish," set smaller, easy-to-reach goals. For example, try "learn 10 new Spanish words each day" or “listen to one Spanish podcast each week.” This makes your goal seem less overwhelming and helps you feel accomplished over time.

that mixing big-picture goals with small, specific ones can be a useful way to stay on track when working toward long-term objectives.

2. Use the power of routine

Connect your new learning habit with one you already do. This is called “habit stacking.” For example, if you have coffee every morning, decide to study for 15 minutes as you finish your drink. Linking the new habit to a routine you already have makes it more likely to stick.

3. Track your progress

Keeping track of your learning helps motivate you and shows where you can improve. Whether you check off lessons in a language learning app like Mondly by ����app or write notes in a journal, seeing what you’ve accomplished keeps you interested.

4. Build accountability

Tell your friends, family, or study groups about your learning goals. When someone else knows your goal, it can help you stay on track. It’s even better to join a community of others who want to learn, like on social media or in online classes.

People who do well often set clear, achievable goals and share them with friends for support.

5. Reward yourself

Small rewards can go a long way toward maintaining motivation. Celebrate milestones with meaningful perks, such as a favorite treat, an afternoon off, or buying yourself a book on the subject you're learning.

6. Anticipate and plan for setbacks

Life happens—sometimes work is stressful or things go wrong. Remember that missing a day or getting behind doesn’t mean you've failed. Keep going by recognizing challenges and getting back to your study plan with fresh motivation.

7. Don’t fear failure

Mistakes are part of progress. Every mispronounced word or awkward conversation is a step closer to fluency.

8. Reassess and adjust goals

If your language learning plan isn’t working, change it. If weekly goals seem too much, try monthly goals instead. The key is flexibility.

The reward of resolutions

Keeping resolutions can be tough, but the benefits are great. Picture yourself reading a book in your target language, traveling more easily, or making stronger friendships with people from different cultures. With determination and these tips, you can achieve your language learning goals.

Start today -��Whether it's January or June, it's never too late to set new goals. Draft a language learning plan, break it into small steps, and watch as each day brings you closer to your destination.

Balancing mindfulness and planning ahead

Here we find ourselves already in a new year. I wonder if, like me, many of you might be wondering how that has happened. January is a time of year traditionally associated with analyzing the past and making resolutions for the future.

In the classroom this might also involve looking forward to assessments and exams at the end of the school year. Maybe you’ve made New Year’s resolutions that have already fallen by the wayside.��

The focus of this blog is learning how to stay in the present moment. So let's take a practical look at how to manage this time of year with your students and with ourselves as teachers (and humans), while also effectively planning ahead for the future.

How can teachers use the Global Scale of English (GSE) and AI to help students set and achieve language learning goals for the new year?

As the new year rolls around, it’s the perfect time for students to set fresh language learning goals. But for teachers, it’s not just about inspiring students—it’s about giving them clear, measurable goals that they can actually achieve. That’s where the GSE, a very powerful tool, comes in. It can help teachers create personalized learning paths based on where students are right now and guide them toward their language goals throughout the year. Let’s dive into how the GSE can work to boost student progress.

What makes the GSE such a valuable tool?

The GSE is a precise framework that measures English proficiency with remarkable detail. Each score on the GSE aligns with specific speaking, listening, reading and writing competencies. For instance, a student with a GSE score of 50 might handle everyday conversations comfortably (B1 level), while a score of 75 indicates functioning at a more advanced level (C1).

What sets the GSE apart is its granularity—it goes beyond general levels of "intermediate" or "advanced," allowing teachers to identify exactly what their students can do at any stage. This level of detail enables teachers to set targeted, skill-specific goals for every learner, ensuring personalized and purposeful progression.

Assessing where students currently stand

Before setting goals, it’s important to determine each student’s current standing. The GSE is an excellent tool for this because it provides a detailed breakdown of a student's skills. Teachers can use GSE-aligned assessments to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses, which gives a clearer picture than just knowing if a student is at an “intermediate” or “advanced” level.

Once you know where students are, you can set a baseline. For instance, if a student’s reading score is 52, you’ll know that they are likely in the B1 range, and you can target specific skills (like improving vocabulary or understanding main ideas) to move them forward.

Setting realistic, measurable goals

Now that you know where each student stands, it's time to set some goals. These should be realistic, measurable and achievable based on their current level and the time span involved. The key is to pick goals that will push them to improve without overwhelming them. The GSE has detailed descriptions of what students can do at each level. You can pinpoint specific skills that need attention by looking at these descriptors. We know that large goals can feel intimidating, so break them into smaller, manageable chunks. Here, the GSE is an amazing resource, thanks to its granularity.

Personalising learning with AI and the GSE

Using the GSE Learning Objectives (LOs) in conjunction with an LLM (Large Language Model)* opens up a world of possibilities for creating focused activities at the right level for each student. Here are some key points on how this combination enhances personalized learning:

• Individualized content: LLMs can generate targeted prompts and exercises based on the specific GSE LOs relevant to each student's proficiency level. This ensures that learners engage with content that is appropriate and aligned with their language goals.

• Tailored language practice: By incorporating an LLM into lessons, teachers can provide students with interactive language practice that adapts to their needs. ChatGPT can simulate conversations, allowing students to apply their language skills and receive immediate feedback in a supportive environment.

By combining the GSE LOs and harnessing the power of an LLM like ChatGPT, teachers can create personalized activities that cater to individual students' language needs, promote active learning, and foster continuous improvement.

*Disclaimer:��Teachers should check and verify the level based on their understanding of their students, as LLMs like ChatGPT may not��assess levels accurately. While GSE Learning Objectives can assist, it's essential to check and adjust its outputs accordingly. This could involve consulting GSE Grammar and Vocabulary to confirm appropriate levels or utilizing the Text Analyzer to ensure the text aligns with the desired level.

What comes next?

Setting goals is just the start—tracking progress and adjusting those goals as needed is just as important. Throughout the year, teachers should regularly check in with students to make sure they’re on track. How can we monitor and adjust? Here are some tips.

Teachers should schedule regular one-on-one sessions with students to review their progress. The GSE can clearly show students their progress.

If students are achieving their goals faster than expected, adjusting their targets is important to keep them challenged. If they’re struggling, the goals might need to be more achievable, with smaller, more gradual steps.

Using the GSE can help students set clear, measurable goals and steadily progress throughout the year. By assessing where students are starting, setting specific GSE-based goals, creating personalized learning paths with AI, and continuously tracking progress, teachers can create a more dynamic and effective learning experience for their students. The new year is the perfect opportunity to help students improve their English and achieve their goals—and with these tools, teachers have everything they need to guide students toward success.