New Year’s Resolutions

New Year’s Resolutions* are promises that you make to yourself to do or to not do something in the New Year. The term ‘resolution’ implies that you are really determined to achieve them, not allowing anyone or anything to stop you. This is the utopian theory, but what happens in practice? I think most of us will agree you’ll be lucky if you manage to stick to your New Year Resolutions by the end of January.

If you think this is the most likely scenario, you ‘ll probably feel discouraged to invest some time and effort in thinking about your own resolutions. However, research shows us we may be wrong. Curious to know why? Then keep your eyes (and ears) peeled! 

1. Before watching the video below, try to guess (so that your brain activates your prior knowledge):

– Have you ever made any New Year Resolutions? Did you succeed in achieving them?

– Can you think of any Resolutions related to…

•        living a healthier life?
•        being grateful for what you have?
•        helping your relatives?
•        doing better at work?
•        being kind to your friends?
•        protecting the environment?
•        being a good citizen?
•        living a happier life?

– Why can making New Year Resolutions be worth your time?

2. Now watch the video by Dr. Mike Evans. It’s only 5 minutes and it’ll help you improve your listening skills. He explains why you are 10 times more likely to stick with a change made at the New Year.

3. It’s time to check comprehension. Answer the following questions:

a) How can you define the ‘contemplators’ group?

b) Which are the top three behaviours that people choose as New Year Resolutions?

c) What factors make success higher if we make New Year Resolutions?

d) What defines a ‘reflective learner’?

e) What characteristics make it easier to sustain positive behaviour?

f) Can you name some small changes that you can introduce into your daily routine?

g) Who was the god Janus?

4. You can revise your answers using the following file: open pdf.

Well, on second thoughts, it seems like New Year’s Resolutions may actually be well worth it, so let’s give it a try: “This year I will…” Need some inspiration to make yours? Then have a go at the New Year’s Resolutions Generator, by optimistic graphic designer Monina Laverde. It’ll make you smile for sure.

And just FYI, we already made our New Year’s choice:

• Bake a cake
• Hopscotch
• Perform random acts of kindness
• Grow a tree
• Go cloud watching (and find shapes)
• And above all… be happy!

After all, New Year Resolutions give us the perfect excuse to improve our English, and we’re rather keen on that at The English Cam.

[*Just in case you’re doubting, you can say ‘New Year’s Resolutions’ or ‘New Year Resolutions’. Both forms are correct.]