“Conversation Starter Lesson Series: Upper-Intermediate” is designed for intermediate-level ESL learners who want to improve their fluency and confidence in speaking English.
Each lesson includes an engaging reading material with audio, vocabulary and expressions, comprehension questions, and discussion questions to be used for one to one class, group class, or self-study for both online and offline classes.
Unit 1: Personal Growth and Development
Story 01: Goal Setting and Planning for Personal Growth
Key Lesson Vocabulary & Expressions: Look over and review before proceeding.
- Personal growth
- Aspirations
- Clear and concise objectives
- Actionable steps
- Contingency plans
- Career advancement
- Milestones
- Anticipating potential challenges
- Regular review
- Aligned with personal values
Read or Listen to the following passage:
Goal setting and planning are essential aspects of personal growth and development. They provide direction and focus, helping individuals to achieve their desired outcomes and aspirations. Without setting clear goals, it can be difficult to determine what actions are necessary to achieve success, and it can be challenging to measure progress along the way.
To begin the goal-setting process, it is important to identify specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals. SMART goals allow individuals to set clear and concise objectives, which can be broken down into actionable steps. For example, a SMART goal might be to run a marathon within the next year. This goal is specific, measurable (by the time it takes to complete the marathon), achievable (with the appropriate training and preparation), relevant (if running is a personal interest), and time-bound (by the deadline of the marathon).
Once goals have been established, the next step is to create a plan of action. This plan should outline the specific steps necessary to achieve each goal. In the marathon example, the plan might include a training schedule, a nutrition plan, and a set of milestones to measure progress.
It is also important to consider potential obstacles or roadblocks that may arise along the way. By anticipating potential challenges, individuals can develop contingency plans to overcome these obstacles and stay on track toward their goals.
Regular check-ins are also important to ensure that progress is being made and that goals remain relevant and achievable. Reviewing and adjusting goals periodically can help to ensure that they are still aligned with personal values and aspirations.
Goal setting and planning can be applied to various areas of life, from personal relationships to career advancement. By setting clear and actionable goals, individuals can stay motivated and focused on achieving their desired outcomes. With careful planning and regular review, it is possible to turn even the most ambitious goals into achievable milestones.
Comprehension Questions:
- What is the importance of goal setting and planning?
- What does SMART stand for in SMART goals?
- Why is it essential to consider potential obstacles when creating a plan of action?
- What are the benefits of regular check-ins in goal setting and planning?
- How can goal setting and planning be applied to different areas of life?
Conversations Starters:
- Have you ever used the “SMART” goal setting process?
- What is your current goal? How is it progressing?
- What is the most ambitious goal you have ever set for yourself? Did you achieve it?
- How do you measure progress towards your goals?
- Why do most people fail to achieve their goals?
- How do you stay motivated when working towards long-term goals?
- Do you think it’s better to set smaller, more achievable goals or to aim for big, lofty goals? Why?
- How has setting and achieving goals contributed to your personal growth and development?
- Can you share an experience where you failed to achieve a goal? What did you learn from that experience?
- What were your childhood goals? Were you able to achieve them?
