Welcome! In this short lesson we'll focus on natural phrases to talk about personal goals. Say the sentences out loud, practice choosing the best replies, and try the speaking prompts.
Level B1: In this lesson you'll practice eight useful chunks for talking about goals in personal life. You'll learn how to report progress, explain motivation, describe obstacles, ask about plans, and say realistic timelines. CEFR-aligned, friendly, and focused on real conversation—perfect for telling friends what you're working toward.
After this lesson you'll be able to:
At B1: say what you're working on and how you plan to reach it.
Use phrases to explain motivation, describe difficulties, and set realistic expectations.
Ready? Let's go!
When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.
1. Reading + Listening Practice
Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.
I'm making progress with ___.
Talk about making progress toward a goal
Meaning: Talk about making progress toward a goal.
When to use: Use this to say something is getting better or moving forward.
Tip: Some learners say "progress on" or "progress in" incorrectly—"progress with" fits well for activities and projects.
I'm making progress with my writing—I've written three short stories this month.
I'm making progress with my writing—I've written three short stories this month.
I'm making progress with the guitar; I can play two songs all the way through.
I'm making progress with the guitar; I can play two songs all the way through.
The hardest part is ___.
Describe an obstacle to achieving a goal
Meaning: Describe an obstacle or the most difficult part of a task.
When to use: Use this to point out a challenge or the main difficulty.
The hardest part is staying motivated when I'm tired.
The hardest part is staying motivated when I'm tired.
The hardest part is finding time between work and family.
The hardest part is finding time between work and family.
I'm doing this because I want to ___.
Explain motivation for a goal
Meaning: Explain your motivation or reason for doing something.
When to use: Use this to connect an action to a personal reason or goal.
I'm doing this because I want to improve my career options.
I'm doing this because I want to improve my career options.
I'm doing this because I want to feel healthier.
I'm doing this because I want to feel healthier.
It may take a while, but I think I can ___.
Say a goal may take time
Meaning: Acknowledge that a goal may take time while staying optimistic.
When to use: Use this to set realistic expectations but show confidence.
It may take a while, but I think I can learn to code well.
It may take a while, but I think I can learn to code well.
It may take a while, but I think I can save enough money by next year.
It may take a while, but I think I can save enough money by next year.
What goals are you working toward?
Ask about someone's personal goals
Meaning: Ask someone what goals they are currently working toward.
When to use: Use this open question to invite someone to share their plans and ambitions.
What goals are you working toward this year?
What goals are you working toward this year?
What goals are you working toward for your health?
What goals are you working toward for your health?
How are you going to achieve that?
Ask how someone plans to reach a goal
Meaning: Ask how someone plans to reach a goal.
When to use: Use this as a follow-up to learn about someone's steps or strategy.
How are you going to achieve that—will you study every evening?
How are you going to achieve that—will you study every evening?
How are you going to achieve that: with a coach or alone?
How are you going to achieve that: with a coach or alone?
What would you like to achieve in the next ___?
Ask someone about a future goal or achievement
Meaning: Ask someone about a future goal over a certain time period.
When to use: Use this to ask about short-term plans or future achievements.
What would you like to achieve in the next six months?
What would you like to achieve in the next six months?
What would you like to achieve in the next year?
What would you like to achieve in the next year?
I'm setting small goals to help me ___.
Explain a practical strategy for reaching a goal
Meaning: Explain a practical strategy: breaking a big goal into small steps.
When to use: Use this to explain how small, regular steps help you reach a larger goal.
Tip: Beginners sometimes say "small goals for to help me" — omit extra words; say "to help me" then the verb.
I'm setting small goals to help me finish my book chapter by chapter.
I'm setting small goals to help me finish my book chapter by chapter.
I'm setting small goals to help me run longer each week.
I'm setting small goals to help me run longer each week.
2. Conversational Listening Practice
Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.
Anna and David talk about their goals at a coffee shop.
What is Anna asking David about?
Anna
What goals are you working toward?
What goals are you working toward?
David
I'm making progress with my Spanish. The hardest part is remembering vocabulary.
I'm making progress with my Spanish. The hardest part is remembering vocabulary.
Anna
How are you going to achieve that?
How are you going to achieve that?
David
I'm setting small goals to help me learn 10 new words each week.
I'm setting small goals to help me learn 10 new words each week.
Anna
That sounds smart. I'm doing this because I want to travel and speak confidently.
That sounds smart. I'm doing this because I want to travel and speak confidently.
David
It may take a while, but I think I can be fluent in conversation.
It may take a while, but I think I can be fluent in conversation.
3. Guided Practice
Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.
Which reply answers the question: 'What goals are you working toward?'
Which phrase asks someone how they will reach a goal?
Which sentence explains a reason for doing something?
Which phrase shows realistic optimism about a long-term goal?
I'm making progress with my job search.
I sent three job applications this week. ___.
I'm doing this because I want to speak more confidently.
My English teacher asked: 'Why study every day?' I answered: ___.
I'm setting small goals to help me improve each day.
Coach: 'Will you practice every morning or evening?' Player: ___.
Match the core phrases
Match the extra phrases
4. Speaking Practice
Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).
Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.
