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Language Learning Olympic Style

Top 10 Tips

Before reading:

Think about this--

What skills, habits, and thoughts transform an ordinary athlete into an extraordinary champion?

These tips can also benefit you in learning English like an Olympian.

Pair with a partner and talk about it. Share your ideas with the class.

Vocabulary

Preview these terms before reading the article:

goal, motivate, range, impact, psyched up, stay on track, keep you down, grueling, devise

Identify their definition and try using them in sentences. Find synonyms for the words too.

Read the article:

Language Learning Olympic Style

The Olympics show athletes with great skills competing for the first place award in their sport. Years of training and practice have brought them to the Olympics. How do they become so great?

Some appear to be born with super talents in various areas. Others tell stories of their grueling practice sessions. What keeps them focused on their sport to achieve greatness?

These characteristics commonly appear in Olympians and can help you too:

1. Goal driven

Example:

Athletes have a clear purpose to work toward. It motivates them to keep trying and drives them to action.

Application:

You can set learning goals to help you learn English. Make them specific goals you can really do, tell other people about them, plan how you'll reach your learning goals, and try it! Celebrate the small achievements and continue setting more goals as they are met.

2. Look at the Long Term

Example:

Olympians think about the future and how well they can train now to be better in the long range.

They know success doesn't appear overnight. Olympians are patient to see the end results.

Application:

Have a long term view for learning English and stick with it. Consider the long range impact of studying on your English skills and not just the immediate result. Be patient with yourself as you learn and study.

3. No excuses

Example:

Hard work is part of being an Olympian. They find solutions to their problems, not just excuses to stop training or cancel practices. Cheating can disqualify them from participating in the sport.

Application:

Stop finding excuses or tricks to not learn English. Your own hard work helps you

achieve better English skills. Make the right choices now that will help you succeed like studying and practicing. You might be able to access great programs for language learning but they won't substitute a lack of hard work and practice.

4. Motivational Quotes

Example:

Athletes post notes on their mirror or fridge to help motivate and psych them up. They repeat the quotes to inspire themselves to keep working hard toward their goals.

Application:

Identify a few motivating quotes, song lyrics, or verses that inspire you to do your best. Repeat and read them to help you stay motivated to learn English. They will keep your emotions and mind on track. When you get discouraged, reread those quotes to stay encouraged.

5. Coaching

Example:

A coach guides athletes through their sport, offers support, and helps improve

their performance.

Application:

Have a buddy or mentor who can check on your progress to keep you motivated. A friend, family member, or teacher can hold you accountable to your learning goals and make sure you stay on the right track. They can encourage you to study well if you're distracted by other activities.

6. Keep a journal

Example:

An exercise journal helps Olympians monitor their exercise habits. It's a record of all their practice that reminds them of areas to improve. They can daily read their progress and have a measure to improve upon next time.

Application:

It's hard to make progress if you just show up at class and mindlessly participate in an English conversation. Write phrases and vocabulary down to help you commit to learning them. Record new words, phrases or expressions you want to remember. Write down your language questions and seek the answers. It only takes a few minutes to note the details. Then review your journal to see how far your

English skills have come.

7. Handle the hard times

Example:

Good athletes are prepared for setbacks, disappointments, and losses. They know that an injury or low score can slow their progress. Olympians spend time identifying possible success barriers and devise ways to overcome them. Habits and attitudes can really hold them back from competing at their best.

Application:

Find the things that might hold you back from acquiring English skills. Identifying these barriers in advance will give the advantage you need to stay on track and meet your goals. Don't let a low test score get you down. Then make the changes needed to overcome these obstacles if they tempt you to abandon your studies.

8. No pain, no gain

Example:

Hard work is part of being an Olympian. Athletes push themselves intensely. They value long practice hours and early morning workout sessions over leisure time. Any discomfort they feel is part of their determination to excel and focus on the reward--winning!

Application:

Set small, specific learning goals and push yourself to achieve them. It will require hard work, time and effort if you want to do your best. Set some challenges for learning English. Time your reading fluency or repeat tongue twisters in a timed test. Daily improvements will help you see other successes!

9. Stay positive

Example:

Attitude is everything. Athletes have a high level of self-confidence that helps them meet success.

They keep a positive outlook about challenges and differences. They look for ways to solve problems and don't let defeat keep them down.

Application:

When you're studying English keep a positive mind-set that will step-up your performance. Believe that you can achieve great results on a test or learn verb tenses accurately. As your English improves, so will your confidence. Don't let a bad grade or horrible speaking experience keep you down! Instead, use it to push yourself to try again.

10. Take care

Example:

Olympians know how to keep their bodies in prime shape so they can function well. They avoid food and drink that damage their body and choose a diet with extra nutrition to stay in optimal health. Athletes know they can succeed if their body is fit to take on the challenge.

Application:

Maintain a healthy lifestyle that will prepare you to focus, study, and do your best. Eat healthy foods that keep your body and mind strong. Schedule rest times to relax. Make sure you get enough sleep at night so you don't fall asleep during a review session or test. Exercise to enjoy physical fitness and maintain a healthy body that will allow you to concentrate on your studies.

Continue these tips and help yourself be a winner as you go for the gold medal in English skills!

After reading:

1. Discuss this article with a partner. Ask and answer these questions.

What goals do you have for learning English skills?

What changes can you make today that will help you acquire English?

2. Imagine your friend wants to learn English. What advice would you give?

3. Improvise and write a dialogue or conversation about tips for learning a language.

[pic] English Champions!

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