An Exercise in Clarity and Action
By Georgina Palencia.
The start of a new year is an excellent opportunity to set goals and work on personal growth. When learning Spanish, writing your New Year’s resolutions can become a meaningful and practical exercise. This process not only strengthens your language skills but also helps you structure your goals clearly and effectively. So, how can you make your resolutions achievable? The secret lies in the language you use to frame them.
When writing a resolution, it’s crucial to make it clear, actionable, and realistic. This means using future tense verbs that convey a sense of beginning and concrete action, such as “I will start,” “I will learn,” or “I will practice.” Additionally, a resolution should include a defined timeframe, measurable indicators, and a “why” that gives it purpose and motivation. For example, instead of writing “I want to improve my Spanish,” it’s better to say: “I will study Spanish for 30 minutes a day for three months to be able to hold a basic conversation in the language.”
A well-written resolution not only makes achieving it easier but also fuels your motivation. Think of your goals as a map: you need to mark the destination, the path to follow, and the estimated time to get there. This approach not only organizes your ideas but also brings you closer to your objectives more effectively.
In my classes at Spanish Perfecto, I always start the year by guiding my students in crafting their resolutions. This exercise is not only helpful for improving their Spanish but also for reflecting on their personal goals and how to express them. By writing your resolutions in Spanish, you’ll practice grammar, expand your vocabulary, and develop communication skills.
One resolution I recommend including is advancing one level in your Spanish learning. You can write something like: “I will attend a Spanish class every week and practice with a language partner to reach the intermediate level within six months.” This type of specific and measurable goal will allow you to track your progress and stay motivated.
Remember, resolutions don’t need to be perfect; what matters is that they are sincere and realistic. If you’re unsure how to structure them, consult your Spanish teacher or review your notes. Take this opportunity to practice grammatical structures like the simple future and temporal expressions.
In the end, writing your resolutions in Spanish is not just a linguistic exercise but a way to declare your goals and bring them to life. This habit can transform your dreams into concrete actions, and each small achievement will be a step closer to success.
What are you waiting for? Grab a pen and paper, or open your computer, and start writing your New Year’s resolutions in Spanish. I promise this exercise will be a powerful tool for improving your language skills and enriching your life.
