Advance in English: 3 steps for your yearly review.

You want to advance in English–and your business communication skills. You practice a lot. But are you doing the right things to make your English as advanced as you are in your work? And how do you stay motivated?

Today, you’ll learn how to do a yearly review of your progress in English, so you can work smarter, stay motivated and advance in English faster.

This is a technique I use too.  I like to do a yearly review of my business…but also my language learning and also my French and German practice.  And when I do my yearly review, I take these questions and think about them in a quiet place, when I’m not working. I sometimes write down my answers.  As you keep reading this blog post, you’ll find all of my top questions for doing a yearly review of your English.

But first…what exactly is a yearly review? And how will it help you advance in English?
Read on and learn all about it.

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What you’ll learn in this article:

1. What’s a yearly review and how can it help you advance in English?
2. How to review your milestones in your yearly review.
3. How to notice your strengths in English.
4. Advance in English this year–by choosing one or two areas to improve.
5. Bonus question to help you advance even more in English–in less time than you think.

1. What’s a yearly review and how can it help you advance in English?

You’ve probably already done a yearly review if you work at a company. Basically, in business, a yearly review is a chance to look back at the year. You pay attention to any of your important milestones (or big achievements). You’ll also think about your current strengths (what you do really well). Finally, you’ll look at areas to improve (or what new skills or habits you need).

A yearly review of your English is similar. You’ll also look at your milestones, your strengths, and your areas to improve–but with the goal of advancing in English. 

2. How to review your milestones in your yearly review.

One of the best ways to help you advance in English (and notice your progress) is to look at your milestones for the year.

Like any good coach, I’m here to ask you questions so you can find your own answers. 

Here’s my first question:

Is there anything new that you did in English this year? 

(Even something small). Did you manage your first client in English, start answering the phone, attend a conversation class, or host a conference call in English?

Here’s another question to ask yourself to find milestones:

Think back one to two years ago. Is there anything you can do now in English that you couldn’t do before? 

Noticing and celebrating your milestones helps you stay motivated to continue practicing. But don’t panic if you can’t think of examples of your milestones right now.

Also check out my lesson: Prepare for Your Performance Appraisal in English [+Worksheet]

3. How to notice your strengths in English.

Alright, now it’s time for you to think about your strengths in English, this is a great way to help make sure you’re doing the right things to help you advance. Here are some questions to inspire you:

What can you already do in English at work?
It’s ok if it’s something small. It’s important to come up with a list of what you can do.

And here’s another question:
What are your strengths in English in general? 

Take a minute to think about skills you have in English–even if you can’t use them at work right now. Maybe your grammar is pretty good already. 

Thinking about your strengths can help you remember you’re not starting from zero. You can build on what you know.

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4. Advance in English this year–by choosing one or two areas to improve

Ok, now here’s where it gets interesting. You’re going to choose some areas to improve for next year. Ask yourself this:

What would you love to be able to do in English–at work or in social situations? 

It’s ok if this list is kind of long at first. You’re brainstorming, thinking of anything that comes to mind. 

Have you got a list of things you’d love to be able to do in English? 

Great, now ask yourself this:

What 1 or 2 new skills or situations in English are your priorities for next year? 

What’s most important to you? Don’t pick too many. It’s really important to focus on one or two things you really want to work on at a time. 

Also check out my lesson: Set goals to move from intermediate to advanced.

5. Bonus question to help you advance even more in English–in less time than you think.

And now, here’s a bonus question from me to help you really advance in English. It might surprise you:

What is the smallest, easiest way you can practice that one thing in English–for 10 minutes a day? 

The easier the better. If you want to be able to run better conference calls, you can practice just the first few minutes where you greet everyone. But can you do it every day for 10 minutes this week.  

Or, let’s say your English skill to improve this year is to write better emails. Maybe you decide to download your free guide 8 must-have emails in English. And then you spend 10 minutes each day next week practicing one of the emails you’d like to use.  

Here’s something I know as a coach who has worked with 100s of people on their English: 
Your English and your career change a LOT when you focus on something small and possible–and do it every day–or when you create a small but doable habit. If you need more help and inspiration starting that habit, just Grab the English Habits Starter Kit I designed just for you.

6. Take the next step for your English and your Business: 

Use these 7 questions to do your own yearly review of your English:

Is there anything new that you did in English this year? 
Think back one to two years ago. Is there anything you can do now in English that you couldn’t do before? 

What can you already do in English at work?
What are your strengths in English in general? 
What would you love to be able to do in English–at work or in social situations? 

What 1 or 2 new skills or situations in English are your priorities for next year? 

What is the smallest, easiest way you can practice that one thing in English–for 10 minutes a day? 

Improve your English in the comments:

The best way to become more confident using Business English is to practice! 

Here’s your Confidence Challenge for this week: 

1. What is that ONE thing, one new skill you’d love to work on in English this year?
2. Share it in the comments today.

Further reading for your business English

Curious to learn more about the topic of the day? I’ve selected this excellent resource for you. It helps native speakers prepare for actual performance reviews–you know, the kind that lets you figure out how to be better…at your job!

What To Say in a Performance Review

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