Goals are the targets that learners and teachers have in language learning.

Smiling student in Kenya

These may be short- and long-term. Goals can be compared to aims, which usually refer to the targets of one lesson or unit of work.

Example
One learner includes among her goals: to be able to deliver a presentation in English to overseas colleagues, to understand the music of her favourite band, and to be able to use all the English language software on her laptop.

In the classroom
Goal-setting is an important activity in the development of a learner's metacognitive skills and awareness. Learners can be encouraged to set goals about how, what and when they are going to learn. Teachers need to find out about learners' goals, since learners may come to the course with goals that are different from those expressed in the course.

Further links:

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/blogs/larry-ferlazzo/larry-ferlazzo-increasing-motivation-through-students-setting-goals

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/counselling-learners

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