Stay on Track! This engaging lesson is designed for adults at upper-intermediate and advanced levels, focusing on the concept of maintenance goals and their role in improving habits over time. Featuring an insightful video based on John Spencer’s perspective, students will explore why he advocates focusing on maintenance goals rather than traditional New Year’s resolutions. The lesson includes targeted vocabulary practice with clear, real-life examples, as well as interactive exercises and thought-provoking discussion questions, ensuring a stimulating and enriching experience for learners at these proficiency levels.

Lesson Objectives

Listening: Students will watch a video exploring maintenance goals versus traditional New Year’s resolutions. The speaker highlights why these goals are more sustainable and effective for achieving long-term success. This activity strengthens listening skills by focusing on detailed explanations and discussions, emphasizing key vocabulary like maintenance, habit, and resolution.

Speaking: Interactive conversation activities will challenge students to express their views on the distinction between big goals and small, sustainable maintenance goals. Using newly learned vocabulary, students will engage in meaningful discussions, enhancing their fluency and confidence.

Cultural Awareness: Students will explore the cultural significance of New Year’s resolutions, particularly in English-speaking countries, and compare them with goal-setting traditions in their own cultures. The lesson will examine why some cultures emphasize grand resolutions while others focus on gradual, consistent improvements. This activity fosters global perspective and cross-cultural understanding, highlighting diverse approaches to goal-setting and self-improvement.

Vocabulary: Key terms such as maintenance, habit, resolution, and goal will be introduced and practiced with real-life examples to ensure clear understanding.

Homework To reinforce learning, homework includes:

Agree or disagree task where students choose whether they agree or disagree with each statement and explain their reasoning.

"Would you rather" exercises.

Short writing task about a personal maintenance goal.

Video

                                                Do you make resolutions for the new year? What habits or goals do you try to maintain over time? Watch this video about John Spencer’s perspective on setting New Year’s resolutions and why he recommends focusing on maintenance goals instead.
												
                                            