Becoming a better (language) learner

On going task: Learning Journal

You are asked to report on strategies used and personal goals for development. The idea is to help you reflect
on your own learning; develop your knowledge of and ability to apply learning strategies; assess your own
progress; and apply your language skills beyond the classroom.

Task 1: Focusing on the learning process

The focus of this task is on aspects of the learning process. The tasks are designed to help you identify how
you like to learn best, to think about what works for you and what does not, and to compare your approaches
to learning with those of other students.

Task 2: Focusing on the context and environment of the learning process

These tasks encourage learners to focus on different modes of learnings. The idea is to get students thinking
about how to develop skills in working in a variety of different modes (i.e. whole-class, individualized learning,
cooperative learning, pair and group work, self-access learning, and learning beyond the classroom.

Task 3: Focusing on the macroskills

These tasks encourage learners to develop strategies for developing the macroskills of the four main skills.

Task 4: Focusing on strategies for dealing with pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar and discourse
These tasks are aimed at encouraging learners to introduce and help learners develop strategies to work with
the language systems.
 Learning Journal

Student name:
Week: 1 2 3 4

This week I studied:

This week I learned:

This week I used my English in these places:

This week I spoke English with these people:

This week I made these mistakes:

My difficulties are:

I would like to know:

I would like help with:

My learning and practicing plans for next week are:

 What do you expect from your course?

1. Ask and answer the following questions.

a) Do you think you are good at learning languages? Why or why not?
b) What do you think is the best way to learn a new language? Why?
c) What kinds of activities do you think should be included in your course? Why?

2. Discuss your ideas with the rest of the class.

3. Looking ahead
Task 1
This is a list of things that often worry students at the beginning of a new course. Read the statements
and check off those that you think might apply to you. Ow add three to five items of your own.
YES MAYBE NO
1. I’m not sure how much I’ll have to do on this course.
2. I’m worried that there will be too much work to do.
3. I’m worried that I won’t understand what I’m required to do.
4. I’m worried that I won’t be able to understand the teacher.
5. I’m worried/embarrassed about speaking in front of other students.
6. I don’t think I’m very good as a language learner.
7. I don’t really feel very motivated to learn.
8. I’m nervous about taking tests.
9. I’m worried that others will think I’m stupid.
10. I’m worried that the course will take up too much of my time.

Task 2: Major concerns

Compare your responses with those of another student, and make a note of the three most important
concerns.

1.
2.
3.

Task 3: Possible Solutions

Compare your major concerns with those of another pair, and take turns brainstorming possible ways
of dealing with them.

1.
2.
3.

Now help the other pair with their concerns.

 What sort of language learner are you?

Try the following quiz. Tick () your answers to the questions.

Usually Sometimes (Almost) never Don’t know

1. Did/do you get good results

in grammar tests?
2. Do you have a good memory
for new words?
3. Do you hate making
mistakes?
4. In class, do you get irritated
if mistakes are not corrected?
5. Is your pronunciation better
when you read aloud than
when you have a conversation?
6. Do you wish you had more
time to think before speaking?
7. Did/do you enjoy being in a
class?
8. Do you find it difficult to pick
up more than two or three
words of a new language when
you are on holiday abroad?
9. Do you like to learn new
grammar rules, words, etc. by
heart?

How to calculate your score:

Score: 3 points for each Usually

2 points for each Sometimes
1 point for each Almost never or never
0 points for each Don’t know.

Total score: _______

Now read the comments on the next page.

Score: 23-27 points  Analytic?
You may feel it is very important to be as accurate as possible all the time. You probably prefer the sort of
language learning where you need to think carefully: for example, when you are doing grammar exercises,
working out the meaning of words, practicing pronunciation, etc. This is very often the sort of language
learning you do in class or when you are studying alone.
You may be able to improve your language learning. Look at the following suggestions:
a. Try to speak more: for example, try talking to English-speaking friends, tourist, etc. as often as possible.
b. Do not worry too much about your mistakes: Trying to be correct all the time is hard work and can stop
you from communicating well. Although making mistakes is an important part of the learning process,
don’t always try to correct yourself immediately. Remember that the people you speak to won’t be
listening for your mistakes, but for what you are trying to say. After you have finished speaking, you
can usually remember the mistakes you want to work on; this is a good time to make a note to yourself
to do something about them.
c. Depend on yourself: outside the classroom you won’t always have a dictionary or a teacher to help you,
so don’t be afraid to depend on yourself: you probably know more than you think.

Score: 14-22 points  A mixture?

Yu may find that you do not fall exactly into either of the categories marked Analytic? or Relaxed?. Many peple
are a mixture and learn in different ways at different times depending on the situation and what they are
doing.
Suggestions
Look at the descriptions for Analytic? and Relaxed?. You may find that you are more similar to one than the
other and this could help you to think about what areas of your learning you might improve. If oyu can’t
decide now, try to do this during your course.

Score: 9-13 points  Relaxed?

You seem to ‘pick up’ languages without really making too much effort and you usually enjoy communicating
with people. You may sometimes feel, however, that you should be learning more grammar rules, but you
probably don’t enjoy this and quickly lose interest.
You may be able to improve your language learning. Look at the following suggestions:
a. Try finding more time to learn: You may need to spend more time thinking about and practicing things
like grammar, pronunciation, etc. Try to organize a regular time for learning.
b. Try being more self-critical: You probably need to correct yourself more. You may not worry or even
notice when you make mistakes, but if you try to become more aware of the mistakes you make
regularly, you may find it easier to do something about them.

Score: 0-8 points  Not sure?

Your score does not mean that you are not a good language learner. Perhaps this is the first time you have
thought about the way you learn. To know more about this can be very useful in helping you to become a
more effective language learner.

Suggestion
You can find out some general information about learning languages by looking at the descriptions marked
Analytic and Relaxed. During your course, try to become more aware of the ways you learn. This can help you
decide which areas of your learning you might improve.