At the end of the year, many people take the time to look back and see what progress they’ve made towards achieving their goals, and to use that information to fine-tune their methods for working on those goals in the coming year. What were your goals for this past year? Did you achieve them? If not, can you identify the things that slowed you down in your work? Here are some tips for making 2011 a successful year for your English vocabulary improvement:

Be realistic. Sometimes knowing what goals to set is as important as working towards achieving them. You might have set a goal of learning 50 vocabulary words a day, but if you’re like most people, you have many other demands on your time. School, work, family, and taking care of yourself by getting enough sleep are also important aspects of your life, and you might become frustrated by not being able to devote an hour or two each day to improving your English vocabulary. If this happened to you – and if the rest of your daily life will likely be the same in the year to come – then try setting a more manageable goal for 2011. Figure out the average number of words you were able to learn each week in your study program, and use that as your new benchmark. By using the average number, you’ll have the challenge of pushing yourself to learn the words when time is tight, and the satisfaction of being able to beat your goal and fit in extra words when you have time to spare.

Ask for help. Whether you’re learning English as a second language or polishing your professional vocabulary, there are resources out there to help you. Check your local library for instructional books and videos, and for vocabulary study classes offered to the community. If you live near a college or university, contact the English department or the international students advisor’s office, and find out if there are classes that you can audit for free, or conversation groups that you can join. Many community centers have ESL conversation classes, writing seminars, book groups, and Scrabble clubs that welcome new members. Remember, vocabulary study happens all the time, as you read and write and talk to other people. Don’t limit yourself to “official” English-improvement courses, but use every opportunity to learn new words in your daily life.

Look for learning opportunities. Many companies have programs designed to help their employees gain professional training, or will pay for off-site training at seminars or through self-study courses. Managers generally encourage their employees to take these classes, because intelligent, capable people improve a department’s efficiency and a company’s profit margin. Check with your supervisor or the human resources department to see what your company offers.

Good luck in 2011, and happy studying!