Why Unrealistic Goals Can Work for Language Learning

Why do so many New Year’s language goals fail by February?

In this episode, Oliver reflects on goal-setting, motivation, and why unrealistic ambitions can sometimes work better than sensible ones - especially for language learners.

You’ll hear a practical example of a SMART listening goal, alongside a more personal (and slightly contradictory) approach: using big, impossible goals as pressure, while relying on small, repeatable habits to make real progress.

If you struggle with consistency, motivation, or the feeling that you’re never quite “there” with your English, this episode offers a different way of thinking about progress - without false positivity.

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