As language learning becomes ever more important in today’s globalised world, Giovanni Giovannelli, President of Pearson’s English Language Learning division, and speaker of five languages, shares his thoughts on the importance of monitoring progress in language learning.
Identifying small wins, benchmarking results, and measuring proficiency against a common scale helps learners and teachers track progress in a simple and engaging way. Pearson recently expanded on its flagship Global Scale of English to launch the first-of-its-kind Global Scale of Languages, helping students of French, Italian, and Spanish on their journey towards fluency – with more languages coming soon. [This article appeared on LinkedIn on October 3, 2023]
For anyone who has ever worked in language learning, there is a phrase that haunts us all... 'how long until I am fluent?’
I would be lying to say that I, myself, was immune to thinking this when I was learning my second, third, fourth and even fifth language. It's human nature- we just want the gratification of results, immediately!
However, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but spoiler alert, learning anything, especially a language, takes time. And as language learning becomes ever more important in today's globalised world and more learners chase the fluency dream, I want to explore the topic of progress monitoring as a key tool for success.
Overcoming Hurdles
Motivation is often a stumbling block for many. As with many aspirations and new ventures, the first step is usually the easiest!
You have this great idea in mind – to learn a language. You focus on the goal and take the steps to make it happen – enrolling in a class, cramming in those late-night teaching videos on YouTube, or buying all the resources you think will get you there. But then, after the first initial burst, life gets in the way and the dedication and motivation starts to dissipate slightly.
So how do we keep learners engaged and motivated to learn? Well, it's all about identifying the little wins and successfully monitoring progress. Which leads us to the question in point.... why is progress monitoring so crucial to language learning?
Recognising Results
For both learners and teachers, it is important to quantify development. When learning, seeing noticeable progress can be extremely rewarding. It is a recognition of the journey you have come on and the achievements you have made along the way. But as with all things, often, no two people walk the same exact path at the same exact speed. And that too is true for language learning – it is a very personal experience. To be able to recognise individual progress and understand the journey travelled and the journey ahead, each learner must be able to pinpoint their development along a scale, from beginner to fluent.
This in turn allows for greater motivation. Seeing the bounty of your efforts as you move along a scale, gradually edging towards the ‘fluent’ milestone, gives a tangible understanding of the progress made. It is encouraging to see where you’ve come from and where you’re going.
Effective progress monitoring within language learning also means that you can set clear goals and objectives in order to move the learner to the next level, based on their personal progress and level of fluency. Rather than working towards a daunting large leap, setting small and manageable goals that are more achievable can boost motivation through incremental wins.
Progress monitoring is also a great way to grow the learner's confidence. Experiencing small victories through their language learning journey helps to build certainty in their language skills and their ability to succeed and progress.
Empowering Learners and Educators
This is the foundation that the Global Scale of Languages (and Pearson’s flagship Global Scale of English) was built upon. After all, there’s no stronger or more empowering foundation than confidence!
Learners and teachers can now easily understand and track progress on that destined path to fluency. The Global Scale of Languages (GSL) has been rolled out to include three of the romance languages – Spanish, French and Italian. With more on the horizon, we are striving to give unparalleled understanding to learner's skills and their personal progress.
This will encourage them on their journey, with a framework of learning objectives to get them there. No matter where they are on the winding road, the destination will always be a welcoming shining light in the distance, with a big sign reading ‘Fluent’!
There’s so much more to learn about the Global Scale of Languages and lots more to discover. I would encourage you to check out the GSL General Learning Objectives for Spanish, French and Italian, or delve into the research behind the GSL and see where it all started.