5 Ways to Keep Your New Year Resolution of “I Want To Improve My English”

Another year has passed and again we feel that sense of a new beginning.

That’s a good feeling right?  Whether you view it as a chance to start over or a chance to start something new, it’s a START either way.

A New Year’s resolution is a tradition, most common in the Western Hemisphere but also found in the Eastern Hemisphere, in which a person makes a promise to do an act of self-improvement or something slightly nice, such as opening doors for people beginning from New Year’s Day. (thanks Wikipedia!)

I have been teaching English online since 2010, so I’ve been through quite a few of these annual holiday seasons.   Every year, like clockwork, I get messages from many new students after the first of the year.  Is it a coincidence?  I don’t think so!

Popular New Year resolutions are things like losing weight or going to the gym.  New gym memberships skyrocket in the beginning of the year.  Learning a language requires a the same kind of commitment that it takes to go to gym on a regular basis or eat healthier.  They all take dedication and will-power.

The downside of New Year resolutions are that MANY of them don’t last.  We all have good intentions and want to improve ourselves, but we just can’t stick with the time requirements or for some reason or another, we just don’t follow through.

How to keep your New Year resolution of “I want to improve my English”

1. Be specific with setting your goal.  Don’t just say, “I want to improve my English” and leave it at that.  Start with small goals and go from there.
2. Find a support team.  People perform much better when they are accountable and responsible for something.  Tell your friends and family about your goal and ask them to check up on your progress and support you along the way.
3. Recognize that there will be ups and downs.  It’s not all going to be easy, smooth sailing.  There will be days that you hate English and never want to do another grammar exercise again.  That’s fine.  Have a plan for how you will deal with the low points and get motivated again.
4. Mix things up a bit.  You may get really tired of your Daily Routine.  If that happens, you can simply change it!  Amazing.  What a simple fix.  Message me and I’ll be happy to give you ideas of what you can do to improve your English.  (even if you are not a student, I am happy to help!)
5. Be disciplined.  Keep track of your progress and hold yourself accountable.  Reward yourself when you reach milestones and keep going!

You are the captain of your destiny!  I can go on with inspirational quotes, but I am sure you get the idea.

#EngVocab

Like clockwork (idiom) at regular times
Coincidence (noun) a situation in which events happen at the same time in a way that is not planned or expected
Skyrocket (verb) to increase quickly to a very high level or amount

*practice using these words in the comments section and I will check them and give you feedback*