Career Planning for English Language Learners

Setting lifetime goals can give you focus, motivation, and self-confidence. But, you need more than goals. You need a plan for achieving those goals. In this lecture, you will:

1. Set lifetime goals

2. Plan out the steps you will take to achieve those goals

3. Consider possible obstacles and solutions

Language objectives:

1. Be able to articulate future goals and plans

2. Talk about obstacles and solutions using conditional statements

Autonomous Learner Tip:

Grammar is best learned through extensive exposure to authentic language, either in reading or listening. Reading books and actively focusing on spoken language cannot be underestimated in their ability to improve your sense of what just sounds right. If you need some extra practice in conditionals, visit LearnEnglish.

Autonomous Learner Tip:

Your language only improves if you use it. Don't limit your speaking practice to times when you have a conversation partner. You can practice just as easily on your own! If you're in public, just put a bluetooth headset on and people will think you are conducting business ;-)

If you need a recorder, Audacity is a free audio editor and recorder. It is what I used to record the audio for this course.

Your hobbies and interests are an important consideration in career planning. Listing those hobbies and interests may help when brainstorming career choices.

Language Goals:

1. Expanding vocabulary for discussing hobbies and interests

Autonomous Learning Tip:

There are many websites with lists of hobbies, for example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hobbies or http://www.notsoboringlife.com/list-of-hobbies/. Look through the lists and look up the ones you don't know. This helps you become a better conversationalist, as you will be more knowledgable when speaking with others about their hobbies.

Your three-letter interest code can help you identify occupations that fit with the kind of environment you would prefer to work in, as well as the preferred outcome of the job you do. You will be able to use this three-letter code later when using some of the online occupational exploration sites.

Knowing yourself well can help you focus on finding a career that will fit with your personality-type. You will look at the four areas of preference, take a test to determine your personality-type, and then look at careers that might be compatible with your type.

Autonomous Learning Tip:

Check out AutonomousLearner.com for information, infographics, and activities for autonomous learners.

We are all influenced by the people closest to us and our environment. When choosing a career path, it is important to consider who and just how strong the influences are, and whether or not you are prepared to face the consequences if your career choice challenges those influencers.

Language Goals:

1. Anticipate objections to your future plans

2. Counter those objections with supporting facts, good reasons, and fabulous examples

Autonomous Learning Tip:

Even if you are not facing any challenges regarding your career choices, it is good practice to think from another's point of view and try to come up with some objections to your career choices. This practice will help you become a better communicator and debater. It may also uncover some things you hadn't thought of!

A speaking activity to help you practice handling objections.

It wouldn't be pleasant to be working in an office if what you really love is to be outdoors. Taking the time to identify your job-related values can save you time by helping you to avoid working in a place that doesn't value the same things you do.

Language Goals:

1. Be able to state preferences and priorities

Autonomous Learning Tip:

Start collecting job descriptions and identify where the descriptions match your values, or where they contradict your values and why. Once you begin interviewing for positions, you will be able to state your values clearly and how they line up with the company's values.