What Are SMART Goals? A Clear Guide for ESL Students
SMART is an acronym that helps you set goals that are clear, realistic, and trackable. It stands for:
✅ S – Specific
Be clear and exact about what you want to achieve.
Instead of: “I want to get better at English.”
Try: “I want to improve my speaking so I can introduce myself confidently at my next job interview.”
2. Instead of: I will write a paragraph.
Try "I will be able to write a paragraph with at least 3 correct sentences using the present tense by the end of the week".
3. Instead of: I want a higher speaking score
Try: I want to earn a 6.5 on the IELTS speaking test
Ask yourself:
What skill am I working on?
Why is this important to me?
Who can help me reach this goal?
✅ M – Measurable
Make goals that you can measure. When you meet them, you’ll feel motivated to continue to the next step.
1. Instead of: “I want to learn more vocabulary.”
Try: “I will learn 5 new job-related vocabulary words each week and use them in sentences.”
2. Instead of: I will read in English
Try: My goal is to read two short stories in English every week.
Ask yourself:
How will I know I’ve reached my goal?
Can I count or track something (words learned, minutes studied, scores improved)?
✅ A – Achievable
Make sure your goal is realistic for your time and ability.
I want to say I think this is the “hardest” goal for many people. It takes time and hard work to learn a new language. I know, I have studied Spanish. And it’s especially hard if you are going from a non- European language to English. Be realistic and accepting of what you can do.
Instead of: “I want to become fluent in English in one month.”
Try: “I will study English 30 minutes a day and have one conversation each week with a language partner.”
Ask:
Do I have the time, tools, and support to reach this goal?
Is this something I can truly accomplish soon?
✅ R – Relevant
Make sure your goal matches your real needs.
Instead of: “I want to memorize Shakespeare plays.”
Try: “I want to improve my business English vocabulary so I can speak with clients.”
Instead of : I want to get into an American University.
Try: I want to study at a university in an English-speaking country, so I need a 7.0 on my IELTS.
Ask yourself:
Does this help me with work, school, or my personal goals?
Will this skill help me succeed in the real world?
✅ T – Time-bound
Set a deadline. A time frame gives you focus and motivation. This will help keep you on track in the days, weeks or months that lead up to the finish date.
Instead of: “I want to pass the IELTS.”
Try: “I will raise my IELTS score from 6.0 to 7.0 in the next three months.”
Ask:
When will I complete this goal?
What can I do this week or this month to move forward?
✍️ Example of a SMART Goal for an ESL Learner:
“I will study English for 45 minutes every weekday, focusing on speaking and vocabulary, to improve my IELTS Speaking score from 5.5 to 6.5 in 10 weeks.”
✔️ Specific: Focus on speaking and vocabulary
✔️ Measurable: From 5.5 to 6.5
✔️ Achievable: 45 minutes/day is doable
✔️ Relevant: Directly supports IELTS success
✔️ Time-bound: 10 weeks
I know you can do this! Let me know when you reach a milestone and I will send you a certificate.
