Goal Setting for Adult ESL Beginner Students

I use this lesson with a mixed ability beginner adult ESL class. It is an integrated reading, writing, speaking and listening lesson on the topic of goals, using the present simple tense. The concept of goals is introduced by 2 short reading texts. By using this lesson with your students you will help them to set their own goals as well as learn the language to talk about goals and their studies in general. This will work as a Back to School activity or any other time. It will help you find out more about your students and their needs and expectations.

This lesson can be used in several ways::

• with total beginners – supported by a lot of scaffolding by the teacher
• at the beginning of the year/course as a goal setting lesson, which will also help you learn more about your students
• as a review lesson for ongoing students using the extension activities

There is plenty of opportunity to differentiate learning according to your students’ levels and needs. I have provided alternatives for some of the activities and suggested ways to adapt for others.

As in all my lessons, the language is presented in a context that is relevant to adult students with language that they will be able to use in their everyday lives. In this lesson the context is talking about long term and short term goals.

Goal setting is an important and popular topic for Adult ESL classes. Most adult ESL students will come to class with a goal which is often something long term and not very specific such as “improve my English”, “Get a job” or “go to university” . But apart from attending a class they haven’t really thought about how they will get there.

This resource will help students break down their long-term goals into smaller more achievable goals that will help to keep them motivated.

It may take 2 lessons or could take several lessons depending on your learners and how you present the material.

The lesson integrates speaking, listening, reading and writing and covers a lot of core elementary language.

Terms of use

This item is for use by you with your students only. If you want to share with other teachers please buy multiple licences. This item is bound by copyright laws . Posting, editing , selling or redistributing this item (or any part of) on the internet is strictly prohibited.

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.If you would like a more in depth, higher level resource on goal setting, check out Goal Setting and Time Management for Adult ESL Students here. It is designed for students at Intermediate level and above.

Here are some other beginner resources in my store that you may like:

• Complete Beginners ESL Lesson – My Family and I (Present Simple – very easy )
• Adult ESL Beginners: Jobs (Present Simple)
• Adult Beginners ESL – Daily Routines (Present Simple)
• Adult Beginners ESL Speaking and Listening
• Adult Beginners ESL Introduction to the Present Continuous