Setting Goals with Can-Do Statements

You have likely heard of I focused on setting SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely. This a viable and effective way for students to set goals in the language classroom.  My experience with proficiency-based language teaching has shifted my prospective on slightly on what goal setting can be in language classroom.

The NCSSFL-ACTFL Can-Do Statements help students and teachers benchmark progress on the proficiency scale from novice to superior. These statements are a useful way for students to set manageable, specific, concrete and achievable goals. The first step is to determine where a student is on the proficiency scale and then to make goals to reach the next level.  For a Novice High student with the goal of moving up to Intermediate Low, the goal can go from “I want to speak better” to:

• I can talk with someone about family or household tasks.
• I can talk with someone about hobbies and interests.
• I can talk with someone about school or work.
• I can ask and answer questions related to subjects such as geography, history, art, music, math, science, language, or literature.
• I can ask for help at school, work, or in the community.
• I can make a reservation.
• I can arrange for transportation, such as by train, bus, taxi, or a ride with friends.

I have put together a set of goal setting sheets based on setting SMART goals as well as proficiency goals.  You can get them it here.