Do you make these 4 Mistakes for Better English?

In any project in life, it is important to set realistic goals.

Learning English or another language is no exception.

What are your goals for learning English? Are they too focused? Do you have too many? Are your self-imposed time limits realistic?

Do you make these 4 mistakes learning English?

1. Too Specific Goals for Better English
Perhaps your goal is to improve your English conversation skills.

Sure, anyone learning a foreign language wants to speak better.

However, a better goal may be improving all 4 language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking), grammar and vocabulary.

Each skill reinforces the others. Grammar and vocabulary are all-important cutting across all skill sets.

Work with your English professor on all four skill sets as a comprehensive approach for better English. 

By making a goal to generally improve your English, you not only strengthen your speaking skills, but the others skills that are vital to communicate in English.

2.  Too Many Goals for Better English
Sometimes you may take on too many goals at one time.

Instead of accomplish any of these goals, you are left without any improvements at all.

When you take on too many goals, you tend to focus on the easier ones and forget the rest.

Again, you are left with a feeling of no accomplishments.

Try to have goals that are consistent and aim to improve a broader set of English communication goals.

3. Unrealistic Time Horizon for Better English
You need to alot enough time to accomplish your goals.

If you expect to be able to read Hemingway's  The Sun Also Rises in a month, stop!

It would almost be impossible for a native English speaker to do that and appreciate the great work of literature.

Be realistic!

You cannot cram for the TOEFL or TOEIC in a month. Professor Winn suggests a minimum of three months before the test.

When you adjust your timeframe to be more realistic, you decrease the pressure to produce and increase your incentive to learn.

Learning a language cannot be done overnight; it is not a marathon.

Again, work with your professor to create a reasonable time for you to accomplish your goal.

4. Lack of Discipline for Better English
Too many students start to study a langauge, but few continue.

It all depends on WHY you are studying English.

Only you know the exact reason.

Commit yourself every day to embrace English. Read a newspaper. Listen to the radio. Watch a movie or music video.

Build a routine of studying English and you will see how easy it really is to have the discipline to improve your English skills. 

Conclusion
If you commit any of the 4 mistakes above, review each of your goals so you avoid them.

Adjust your goals for maximum success. Ask your professor to help you.

Always remember this ditty: if it is to be, it is up to me! You alone are responsible ultimately for your English success.

Happy English Learning!

*** Improve your English today! Contact Professor Winn now - professorwinn@gmail.com - for classes. Connect with him on Twitter, Google+, Stumbleupon, and LinkedIn.