FOFL/English Academic Skills
INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Goal setting
OUTLINE
1. Setting SMART goals
2. Making action plans
3. Practice 1: Setting SMART goals
4. Practice 2: Making action plans
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OBJECTIVES
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
1. Identify the key components of SMART goals
2. Create their own SMART goals based on
personal and/or academic needs
3. Develop detailed action plans using the
provided template
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WHY SETTING GOALS IS IMPORTANT
Provides clarity and focus
Increases motivation
Helps measure progress
Promotes accountability
Enhances time management
Provides direction
Keeps you organized
Locke & Latham (2002)
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1. SETTING SMART GOALS
1.1. General goals vs SMART goals
General goals SMART goals
“I want to improve my grades.” “I will raise my math grade by 10% by
the end of the semester by studying 2
extra hours a week and attending all
review sessions.”
What is the difference between
these two goals?
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1. SETTING SMART GOALS
1.2. How to set SMART goals?
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1. SETTING SMART GOALS
1.2. How to set SMART goals?
▪ Specific
• What do I want to accomplish?
• Why is this goal important?
• Who is involved?
• Where is it located?
• Which resources or limits are involved?
→ I will run 3 miles, 4 times a week around Hoan Kiem lake to improve my
endurance and fitness.
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1. SETTING SMART GOALS
1.2. How to set SMART goals?
▪ Measurable
▪ How much?
▪ How many?
▪ How will I know when it is accomplished?
→ I will read 5 chapters of my textbook every week to finish the entire book
by the end of the semester.
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1. SETTING SMART GOALS
1.2. How to set SMART goals?
▪ Achievable
• How can I accomplish this goal?
• How realistic is the goal, based on other constraints, such as financial factors?
→ I will complete 3 English lessons per week and practice speaking with
my study partner for 30 minutes each day to reach an intermediate level in
6 months.
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1. SETTING SMART GOALS
1.2. How to set SMART goals?
▪ Relevant
• Does this seem worthwhile?
• Is this the right time?
• Does this match our other efforts/needs?
• Am I the right person to reach this goal?
• Is it applicable in the current socio-economic environment?
→ I will practice academic writing by completing one essay per week for my
English course to strengthen my skills for upcoming assignments.
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1. SETTING SMART GOALS
1.2. How to set SMART goals?
▪ Time-bound
• When?
• What can I do six months from now?
• What can I do six weeks from now?
• What can I do today?
→ I will improve my note-taking by experimenting with two new techniques and
practicing them in every class over the next 4 weeks.
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2. MAKING ACTION PLANS
❖ Action planning: a strategic approach which helps realize goals and work out
what steps you need to take to achieve goals over a specific period of time
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3. PRACTICE 1: SETTING SMART GOALS
Recall the characteristics of
SMART goals and give relevant
examples from your own
experience and/or context
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4. PRACTICE 2: MAKING ACTION PLANS
Use the given Action plan
template to make an action plan
for your final presentation
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WRAP-UP
1. Characteristics of SMART goals 2. Making action plans
• Specific • Action → goal(s)
• Measurable
• Priority
• Achievable
• Status
• Relevant
• Start date
• Time-bound
• End date
• Notes
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REFERENCES
[1] [Link]. (2021). Action planning. Retrieved from
[Link]
[2] Locke, E. A. & Latham, G. P. (2002). Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and
task motivation: A 35-year odyssey. American Psychologist, 57(9), 705–717.
[3] Mind Tools. (2016). SMART goals- How to make your goals achievable. Retrieved from
[Link]
[4] Weller, A. (2016). Smart sheet. Develop a plan of action with free templates. Retrieved from
[Link]
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INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Goal setting
Senior Lecturer: Nguyen Kim Phuc, MA
Presenter: Nguyen Kim Phuc, MA
INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Bài học tiếp theo:
Next lesson:
Time-management skills
References:
[1] Cottrell, S. (2013). The Study Skills [Link] (4th ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.
[2] CFI Education Inc. (2019). A Brief Guide to Time Management. Retrieved
September 2, 2019, from
[Link]
[3] [Link]. (2017). Time Management Skills: Definition and Examples.
Retrieved September 2, 2019, from
[Link]