As I work with ESL teachers as an advisor, I came across the need for more structure in language learning. In our current fast paced world, where there is a need to “get through” everything, rather than really sit with and reflect on what we are doing, I thought it would be a good idea for students to use a language learning planner to start off the new year. In this planner, students can monitor their progress, journal in their second language, and engage in self-reflection.
Most people who know me also know that I have been learning Japanese for years now. Because it has been so long, I feel that I am in an “intermediate plateau”, where I know a few thousand words, a few hundred kanji, can have basic conversations, but still feel utterly lost when I try to listen to a song or read a regular, non-graded reader book in Japanese. Therefore, I this planner could be a good way for me to also track my progress, and to see how far I really can come in learning this year.
Below is a copy of the planner! After introducing it with the teachers I work with, six teachers immediately came on board and are now using it with their students. One of them even had his students start working on it the same day I introduced it, which was very flattering to say the least. The planner I made is 24 pages long, which is only 6 pages, double-spaced. It also only covers the first three months of the year, which makes it easier for students to feel a sense of accomplishment for finishing the book.
This planner is meant to be printed out, folded, bound, and written on with pen or pencil. It is important to take time out of our gamified, addictive learning apps, and instead train our attention span by going back to analog tools. I have thought about making a digital planner, and I may make one in the future, but it would be more to have as an easy reference tool as to what the planner’s questions are, versus a tool for deep reflection.
Here is the information in the planner in outline form, for your reference:
My Language Learning Planner
Page 2: My Journey to Fluency
Why am I learning this language?
Describe what you want to be able to do in your new language.
Page 3: My Future With This Language
Describe how your life will be when you improve your language skills.
How will I keep myself accountable?
Page 4: My Learning Commitment
How often will I commit to learning?
What good habits do I need to start?
Page 5: Letting Go and Pushing Forward
What bad habits do I need to let go of?
What will I tell myself when I hit a wall or begin to plateau?
Page 6: My Current Skill Levels
Rate your current skill level from 1 to 10 in each area.
- Reading: ____ /10
- Writing: ____ /10
- Speaking: ____ /10
- Work Communication: ____ /10
- Intercultural Skills: ____ /10
- Listening: ____ /10
- Vocabulary: ____ /10
- Grammar: ____ /10
How does fun language learning look like for you?
Page 7,8,9: Habit Tracker – January, February, March
Page 10: Mind and Body Progress
Track your progress on habits that help you learn better.
Examples:
- Did I get a good night’s sleep?
- Did I drink enough water and take a daily vitamin?
- Did I exercise?
- Am I eating well?
You can also track anything else you want.
| Month | Notes |
|---|---|
| January | |
| February | |
| March |
Page 11: Daily Journal Prompt
How are you feeling today?
Page 12: My Family
Write about your family.
Page 13: My Home
Where do you live? What do you love and not love about it?
Page 14: Letter to a Friend
Write a letter to a friend you haven’t seen in a while. Explain what you are doing.
Page 15: Favorite Part of the Day
What is your favorite part of the day?
Page 16: Favorite Holiday
What is your favorite holiday?
Page 17: Stress and Relaxation
Where do you like to go when you are stressed?
Page 18: Staying Active
How do you like to stay active?
Page 19: Favorite Meal
What is your favorite meal?
Page 20: Someone Important
Write about someone who is important to you and why.
Page 21: Takeaways From My Language Journey
What are 10 things you learned that you remember?
Page 22: Favorite Journal Prompt and Learning About Myself
What was your favorite prompt entry? Why?
What have you learned about yourself? Did something surprise you?
Page 23: My Current Skill Levels (Reflection)
Rate your current skill level from 1 to 10 in each area.
- Reading: ____ /10
- Writing: ____ /10
- Speaking: ____ /10
- Work Communication: ____ /10
- Intercultural Skills: ____ /10
- Listening: ____ /10
- Vocabulary: ____ /10
- Grammar: ____ /10
How have your levels changed?
I end the language learning planner with a quote I love from Charlemange, that hangs on my office wall:
To have another language is to possess another soul
