PREVIEW ACTIVITY Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2024. For use only with license.

How To Stay Motivated When Learning A Language (B1)

PAGE 1

Meet Míša from the Czech Republic. She's been learning English for one year, but she's feeling
PART 1
a bit frustrated and unmotivated at the moment. Try to motivate her and answer her questions.

2
This is hard!
How do I succeed at
1 learning English?
3
This is exhausting!
How much time This is boring
! How
is it going to take me can I make lea
rning
to learn English?! English more
fun?

Míša
from CZ

PART 2 Discuss the questions below about learning English.

1 Have you ever felt frustrated or unmotivated to learn English? If so, how did you
manage these feelings? If not, how have you stayed motivated?
2 How motivated have you felt recently about learning English? Why?
3 Have you ever tried any of the tips you gave Míša? If so, how did they go?

Thanks to your tips, Míša feels more motivated to learn English. She has a new goal. What do
PART 3
you think about her goal? Is it a good goal? Why or why not?

Míša
's n e
w go
al...
I want to be able to
speak English fluently!
HOW TO STAY MOTIVATED WHEN Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2024. For use only with license.
LEARNING A LANGUAGE How To Stay Motivated When Learning A Language (B1)
PAGE 2

PREVIEW DISCUSSION

How much do you enjoy learning English, or other

languages? Explain.

VIEWING ACTIVITY

Finish each sentence according to Alex’s tips for staying motivated to learn a language. Give
PART 1
an example of each.

0:42 1 Focus on things that…

EXAMPLE:

0:53 2 Reward yourself for…

EXAMPLE:

1:13 3 Make sure to set…

EXAMPLE:

PART 2 Discuss: Did you give any of the same or similar tips to Míša in Preview, Part 1?

PART 3 Watch the video again. Choose the correct word Alex uses in each of his tips.

0:45 TIP 1: If you want to learn the language to learn more about the country / culture , then you
should be watching films, you should be reading and enjoying those things that are available.

0:53 TIP 2: It's also important to reward yourself for the learning that you're doing, so make sure that you
give yourself a little treat / cheat and maybe even plan a holiday or a trip to the country
where they speak the language, so you can actually see how much process / progress
you've made since you started learning and how far you could still come in a similar amount of
time.
1:13 TIP 3: The other really important thing is to set realistic goals when thinking about learning a
language. That well may keep you much more motivated through the language-learning
process / progress and make sure that you stack / stick to the commitment that
you make.
 VIEWING FOLLOW-UP Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2024. For use only with license.
How To Stay Motivated When Learning A Language (B1)
PAGE 3

PART 1 Discuss the questions below.

1 How useful are Alex’s tips for staying motivated while learning a language?
2 Have you ever given yourself a reward or treat for progress when learning
a language? If so, what? If not, how effective do you think it would be?

Meet Jake from the USA. He lives with his wife, Míša, in the Czech Republic. Read his idea
PART 2
about learning Czech language. Choose "could" or "to be able" for reach rule below.

“ I am interested in American football. To make learning Czech more fun, I could

watch American football matches on TV with Czech commentary. In 3 months, I
would like to be able to explain the rules of American football to Míša in Czech
language. When I am able to do that, I will reward myself. As a reward, I could go
to a professional football game live at a stadium. My favorite team is the Pittsburgh
Steelers. Maybe I could ask Míša to come with me to Pittsburgh. I hope she will be
able and want to join me!"

1 Could / To be able is followed by the to-infinitive (verb with “to”).

2 Could / To be able is followed by the base verb form (verb without “to”).
3 Could / To be able expresses hypothetical possibilities.
4 Could / To be able expresses abilities and can be used in the future tense.

Meet Riko, who is learning French language and interested in cooking. Discuss/Write some
PART 3
ideas for her to learn French language. Use the correct form of could and to be able.

1 I am interested in cooking. To make learning French more fun, I...

Hi, I'm Riko. 2 In [time period], I would like...

I'm learning
French and I'm
interested in
cooking.
3 As a reward, I...

4 I hope...
FIND JOY IN LEARNING: Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2024. For use only with license.
JOURNAL & HAVE A CHAT How To Stay Motivated When Learning A Language (B1)
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Choose the activity option (A or B, or both) you wish to do below.

OPTION A: Journaling

• Write a journal entry about a language or a skill you're learning.

• Write about your goals and rewards for learning it.
• Use could and to be able.

OPTION B: Have a chat

STEP 1 • Chat with a partner about a new language or a new skill you're learning.
• Suggest each other ideas to make learning the language/skill more fun. Use could.

To m ak e lea rn ing Cz
g Cze ch ech more
I'm le a r n in in fu n, yo u co uld wat
te re s te d ch Amer ica n
a n d I'm in
f o o t b a ll . fo ot ba ll w ith Czec
Ame r ic a n commen ta ry on TV
h
.

STEP 2 • Share your learning goals. Use to be able.

• Suggest each other ideas for rewards for reaching your goals. Use could.

b e a ble As a re ward, yo u co
li k e t o uld
I wo u ld t h e r u le
s of bu y tic ke ts to an Am
p la in er ica n
to e x b a ll in fo ot ba ll m atch an
r ic an f o o t a. d ta ke
A m e
m y w if e , Míš Míša w ith yo u.
o
Cze ch t
 GRAMMAR BONUS Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2024. For use only with license.
How To Stay Motivated When Learning A Language (B1)
PAGE 5

PART 1 Study the usage and examples of the modal present progressive with "should".

In the video, Alex says...

“ If you want to learn the language to learn more about the culture, then you should be
watching films, you should be reading and enjoying those things that are available."

We use the modal present progressive with "should" to emphasize that an action should be continuous. The
example above emphasizes that these activities should be a continuous part of your language learning routine.
You can only use action verbs (read, watch, enjoy) in this form, not state verbs (know, love, believe, etc.)!

STRUCTURE: Subject + modal verb (should, could, etc.), + be + present progressive (reading, watching, etc.)

EXAMPLES If you want to improve your English, you should be taking language classes with a teacher.
In order to learn more effectively, you should be practicing all skills — speaking, listening,
reading and writing.

PART 2 Complete the sentences using the modal present progressive. Use a verb that fits the context.

EX. If you want to improve your English, you should be taking language classes with a teacher.
1 If you aim to be a better public speaker, in front of a mirror regularly.
2 For better time management, a planner to schedule your daily activities.
3 If you want to become a good chef, different recipes often.
4 In order to improve your computer skills, new software regularly.
5 If you want to become more fit, your bike to work instead of driving.

PART 3 What advice would you give the people below? Use the modal present progressive form.

I have trouble I dislike my I always have

1 understanding 2 current job and 3 trouble falling
English on feel unmotivated. asleep.
Vaclav the phone. Maya Calvin
QUIZ & REVIEW ACTIVITY Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2024. For use only with license.
How To Stay Motivated When Learning A Language (B1)
PAGE 5

PART 1 Answer each question below according to the information in the video.

1 What tips does Alex give for staying motivated when learning another language?
2 What kinds of examples does Alex give for each tip?
3 Why is it important to set realistic goals when learning a language?

PART 2 Write the phrases using could/to be able to complete Jake's idea about learning Czech.

“ I am interested in American football. To make learning Czech more fun,

I American football matches on TV with Czech commentary.
In 3 months, I would like the rules of American football to Míša
in Czech language. When I that, I will reward myself. As a
reward, I to a professional football game live at a stadium.
My favorite team is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Maybe I Míša to
come with me to Pittsburgh. I hope she will me!"

PART 3 Finish writing the rules for using could/to be able below.

1 Could is followed by .
2 Could expresses .
3 To be able is followed by .
4 To be able expresses .

LESSON REFLECTION:
REFLECTION

Discuss the questions below about the lesson.

1 Did you learn or use any new vocabulary or grammar in this lesson? If so, what?
2 Did you learn anything new in this lesson about learning languages and motivation?
3 What did you enjoy about the lesson?
4 Is there anything you found difficult about the lesson?