subject: Language Learning Evaluation Time [print this page] Author: Martina Srblin Author: Martina Srblin
At the end of each year comes a deliciously sweet time when lines are drawn, resolutions are made, and room is prepared for new adventures, new challenges, new achievements. With language learning it's no different an evaluation of the work done in the past 12 months is essential to move forward by leaps and bounds. Here's a mini guide to reach your last year's linguistic conclusions quickly and effortlessly: How much time, money and energy did you devote to language learning? Start your evaluation by realistically assessing the time, money and energy you spent on language learning. This will put everything that follows into perspective, since you can't expect miracles to happen with no or little resources invested. Be as specific as possible, and if you can't come up with concrete numbers, make a mental note to start keeping a language learning magic journal in 2010. Which tools and techniques have you used? Step 2 entails listing all the methods you used to learn foreign languages, from live courses to home study kits, memorization exercises, vocabulary building techniques, private training hours with native speakers, to name but a few. Again, go into details. Add dates, duration, venue, names, literature that was employed everything you can think of. How productive and efficient were you at your language learning? If you wanted to measure your ROI return of investment from language learning, what would you do? You'd compare your results, the level of linguistic knowledge achieved, and your input into the learning process. Were you efficient at deciding how will you be learning and productive while learning, or not? Were your investments of resources wise, or not? How much did you learn? Try to figure out which linguistic level you reached and the progress you've made this year. You can use European levels of reference to guide you. There are six different levels according to the European ranking from A1 to C2, the latest being the highest, proficiency level and there are descriptions available for each of them. If you obtained a certificate, write that down, too. It's incredibly important to give yourself credit for your accomplishments! How much language learning magic did you experience? Last but not least, jot down your emotions and feeling connected to language learning. Was it fun to learn your target language? Did you enjoy it or did you hate attending classes and doing homework? Which part of the learning process you liked the most? Focus on the positive experiences first, then think about the reasons for the negative ones. You'll be able to bring more magic to your new year, if you become fully aware of your preferences and personality traits that affect the way you approach language learning.About the Author:
Martina Srblin is the Language Learning Magician who will help you discover the language learning system that best fits your needs, skills and schedule, so you can stop wasting time, money and energy on language learning methods that for you personally are inefficient. For free resources and to sign up for a FREE report on "7 Key Steps to Smart Language Learning" and a FREE subscription to the Language Learning Magic Ezine, please visit Martinas website www.martinasrblin.com.
