 Some time ago I sat down and started talking to myself. I talked for about something for one hour. That had not been my intention but when I finished I thought that it would be a great exercise for my students; or just a great exercise for anybody who doesn't want their English to get too rusty. Based on this experience, I created your first task this year. I believe that you can benefit from it, repeat it now and then and reap the benefits of your hard work. TALK, TALK, TALKSTEP 1Make a list of the current topics you have recently discussed with your family, friends or colleagues. The list shouldn't be too long - 3 topics would be more than enough. STEP 2Choose one topic from your list. STEP 3Set a time limit. If you are an intermediate level student, you can start from 5-10 minutes. The higher the level, the time limit also should be longer but try not too exceed 1 hour. TiP: It would be a good idea to use a timer. STEP 4Talk on the topic for the set amount of time. Do not finish earlier; if you lack ideas of what else to say, ask yourself an additional question connected with your topic. STEP 5When you finish try to write down the words/phrases you felt you were missing during your talk or frequent repetitions. TiP: Do this immediately after your talk. Do not postpone this step as your memory might fail you the next day. STEP 6Check the words you didn't know in a dictionary and write them down. If you notice you had problems with repetitions, write down the phrases you often repeated - then look for some different structures or synonyms; also write everything down. TiP: Don't write too much. Having 10 key items in your notes is ok. STEP 7Repeat the task a week later but this time shorten the time. If your initial talk was 15min long, make it 7; if 20, make it 10 and so on. TiP: You can have a look at your notes before your second attempt. You can record this talk and listen to yourself afterwards. FiNAL REMARKSYou can do the same with other topics on your list.
Finally, mark your January task as done; comment on the task if you find it useful; seek your tutor's help if you have doubts about the challenge.  I think planning your learning is good. It boosts your motivation, engages you in the learning processes and gives you a sense of accomplishment (if you, of course, have finished the task). Every year I encourage my students to prepare a yearly plan of extra tasks they would like to do every month. And as the new year tunes us more into making new resolutions, the fact remains that sticking to the plan can become very daunting at the beginning of April ,if not sooner. That’s why I’d like to invite you to the 12 Months, 12 Tasks Challenge in which I will be guiding you through the tasks each month. The tasks won’t suck the life out of you, I promise. The tasks will be for people at any level from intermediate to proficiency. They will be published every month and there will be a monthly reminder sent to you. Please join us; spread the word among your family and friends - the more the merrier! If you are up for the challenge please submit your info below. |
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