How to Set English Study Goals That Work | B2 English Listening
Want to Set English Study Goals That Actually Work?
Welcome back to the Peach Teach English Podcast! In this episode, we dive into a topic that every language learner faces sooner or later: setting English goals that sound great... but fall apart in real life. If you’ve ever said, "I want to be fluent" and then felt completely stuck, this one's for you.
Together, we’ll break down four major reasons your English goals might not be working and how to fix them with simple strategies that actually move you forward. Plus, you’ll hear real-life examples and tips that you can apply today to set meaningful, measurable goals that keep you motivated long-term.
Whether you’re preparing for the IELTS, building your business, or simply trying to have better conversations in English, this episode will help you build a study plan that finally sticks.
This episode + transcript is perfect for intermediate English learners (B1–B2) who want to build confidence, sharpen their listening skills, and set up their studies for real success.
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📝 Episode 40 Transcript:
00:00 – Introduction: Why Your English Goal Sucks
Today, we're digging into four big reasons your English goal sucks, and more importantly, how to fix it. By the end of this episode, you'll know how to reframe your goal with clear, actionable steps that actually get results. And here's the cool part: these tips don't just work for English. You can apply them to any goal that you're trying to achieve.
Welcome back to the Peach Teach English Podcast. I'm Frankie Mesmer, your host, and this space is dedicated to helping you go from B1 intermediate to B2 English fluency. So if you're ready to set goals that actually work, let's get into it.
00:44 – Reason 1: Your Goal is Too Vague
Reason number one your English goal sucks is because it's too vague.
Let's be real—goals like "I want to be fluent," or "I want to sound more like a native speaker" don't actually move the needle. Why? Because they're too vague. What do these goals even mean? When will you know you're fluent enough or sound native enough? You won't, and that's the issue. Vague goals make it hard to stay focused or track your progress, so eventually you lose motivation and give up.
The best way to upgrade your goal is by answering the classic WH questions: who, what, where, when, why, and how.
Now, we won't cover all six, but starting with your why and what will give you a solid foundation and help you set a goal that actually sticks. So let's start with your why. Why are you learning English?
You're not studying English just to chat with AI bots or scroll through grammar apps all day, right? You're working towards something bigger. So let's dig into that. Do you want to make genuine connections with native speakers? Do you want to study abroad to unlock better career opportunities? Would you like to run effective sales calls and lead meetings?
Your why is what's going to keep you going when things get tough. It fuels your discipline, and it helps you prioritize what to study and gives your goal long-term meaning. So once you've nailed down your why, let's move on to your what.
What exactly do you want to accomplish in English?
Saying, "I want to be fluent," is too abstract.
Let's get concrete. Try something like: "I want to reach B2 level in English by the end of the year." "I want to score a 6.5 on the IELTS to qualify for my university program." "I want to land three new English-speaking clients for my business." Do you see the difference? These are specific and meaningful goals that you can look at and say, "Yes, I've reached my goal."
They give you a clear direction, and that's what separates a wish from an actionable plan. So go ahead and hit pause if you need to. Take a moment to write down your why and your what, and then once you've got more specific, we'll take a look at the next reason your English goal sucks.
03:16 – Reason 2: Your Goal is Not Measurable
So, reason number two your English goal sucks is because you can't measure it.
Take the classic line: "I want to be fluent." Alright? But how do you actually measure that? What does fluency look like for you? How will you know when you've reached it? This is where most learners get stuck. If your goal isn't trackable, it's nearly impossible to stay on track because there's no clear way to check your progress.
So, here's my advice: make your goal measurable by using numbers.
And there are two main ways to do that. Number one: use a level, course, or score.
Link your goal to something official, like a test or proficiency scale. For example: "I want to reach a B2 level on the CEFR scale." "I want to score a 6.5 on the IELTS." "I want to finish a C1 level course." These goals are quantifiable. You can take a test, get a score, and clearly see where you stand.
Number two is you can track your consistency.
Not every goal has to be about a test. You can also set goals based on your study habits. These are sometimes called process goals, and they keep you focused on daily actions.
For example: "I'll study English for five hours each week." "I'll learn 10 new words every Monday." You either did it or you didn't. And that clarity makes it easier to stay accountable and avoid burnout.
So before you keep chasing this abstract idea of fluency, ask yourself: what does fluency actually mean for me? And how will I know when I've made real progress?
When you make your goals measurable, you take the guesswork out of your learning—and that's how you set yourself up to succeed.
05:13 – Reason 3: Unrealistic or No Timeline
Reason number three your English goal sucks: you have no timeline, or that timeline is completely unrealistic. A lot of people tell me, "I wanna be fluent now," or "in three months," for example.
Okay. Let's break that down. To move from B1 to B2, the average learner needs around 200 to 250 hours of focused study. To do that in three months, you need to study for about three hours a day, and you can't miss a day. Can you do that? If so, perhaps that's the right goal for you. If you can't, don't push yourself too hard.
You'll start to hate English. A more realistic goal is studying five to ten hours per week, which means you're looking at six months to a full year to reach B2 fluency. That's not bad. It's actually a very achievable timeline, but you've got to pace yourself. A goal without a timeline is just a wish, and an unrealistic timeline—that's a fast track to frustration and burnout.
So here's what I want you to ask yourself: how many hours per week can I realistically commit to English? What's sustainable for me—not just for one week, but over the next three to six months? And be honest with yourself here. Maybe it's five hours, maybe it's twenty.
That's fine. You don't need to be perfect. You just need to be consistent. But the learners who win are the ones who stick with it long enough to see the results. You don't need to cram. You don't need to study four hours a day. What you need is a clear, realistic timeline and a pace that helps you make steady, incremental progress. And most importantly, enjoy the process.
If you hate your study plan, you won't follow through. So build one you can stick to—and that makes you feel proud of your progress each week.
07:19 – Reason 4: Trying to Do Too Much
Reason number four your English goal sucks: you're trying to do too much. Let me guess—you've got five apps on your phone, three grammar books, a playlist full of YouTube videos, and at least two courses you haven't finished.
The problem isn't that these tools are bad. The problem is that your attention is completely scattered. When you're bouncing between different methods with no structure, it's almost impossible to stay consistent or see real progress. What you need is a focused system—one that aligns with your goal and actually moves you forward.
So here's my advice: sit down, map out a plan, and stick to it. You don't need to try every grammar book or app. You need a streamlined study plan that supports the results you're working towards. And that's why I created a free study guide to help you simplify your process and stop second-guessing your strategy.
This guide walks you through what skills you need to develop, what vocabulary and grammar topics to study, and tips to help you build an effective study plan.
And you can grab that free study guide using the link in the description. And if you're still feeling overwhelmed, just message me. I'll help you zone in on a system that makes sense for you and your goals—so that you finally get the results that you're looking for.
You've got this. I'm cheering you on.
08:56 – Examples of Good English Goals
So now that we've looked at four reasons your English goal sucks, let's look at some good examples of English goals. We're gonna break down three examples using a simple set of questions:
What's the goal?
Why does it matter?
How will you measure it?
When do you want to reach it?
And what's your plan?
You can even use this exact structure to build your own goal, too.
Example Number 1: Social English
What's the goal? I want to speak English confidently and reach the B2 level.
Why? Because I want to build friendships with native speakers and connect with people when I travel.
How will you measure it?
I'll take the Duolingo proficiency test.When?
I want to achieve this in six months.What's your plan?
I'll study 10 hours a week, I'll join two conversation classes, message language partners daily, and listen to podcasts or read books to build my vocabulary and fluency.
Example Number 2: Academic English – Studying Abroad in Australia
What's the goal? I want to get a 6.5 on the IELTS exam.
Why? So I can apply for a university program in Australia and expand my career options.
How will you measure it? The actual IELTS exam.
When? I want to reach my goal in eight months.
What's your plan? I'll study seven hours a week doing IELTS practice activities—three hours on listening and reading, and four hours on writing and speaking practice.
Example Number 3: Business English – Leading Sales Calls
What's the goal? I want to lead clear, confident sales calls in English.
Why? Because I want to grow my business and build strong relationships with international clients.
How will you measure it? I'll track how many calls I complete in English and how many new clients I get.
When? I want to see clear progress in two months.
What's your plan? Each week, I'll write and rehearse one short pitch or presentation and get feedback from a business English coach, and set up at least two sales calls in English a month.
These goals are specific, measurable, and aligned with real-life outcomes that matter to you—and that's the difference between a goal that fades into the background and a goal that leads to lasting change.
11:38 – Conclusion and Next Steps
So what's your English goal? I'd love to hear it. Drop it in the comments, share it with a friend, or message me directly. And don't forget to download your free study guide using the link in the description. It's designed to help you turn your goal into an action plan you can actually stick to.
If this episode helped you reframe your goal and get clear on what to do next, make sure to hit that subscribe button. That way, you won't miss any upcoming episodes that will help you stay consistent, motivated, and finally be fluent in English.
Thanks for listening, and I'll catch you in the next episode.
Goal Setting & Personal Growth Vocabulary Guide
The following vocabulary was used in this episode. These words and expressions are commonly used when discussing personal development, study habits, and long-term goal setting. They will help you improve your speaking and writing as you work toward B2+ English fluency. Listen to the episode again and underline the words you hear. Try to create your own example sentences using them to build long-term memory and confident usage.
Reframe – To look at or think about something in a new or different way
Actionable – Practical steps you can take to make progress
To get results – To see progress or achieve an outcome
To apply something – To use knowledge or skills in a practical way
To achieve – To successfully reach a goal
To move the needle – To make a noticeable difference or improvement
To stay focused – To keep your attention on something
To track progress – To monitor how much you’ve improved
To lose motivation – To stop feeling inspired to continue
To upgrade – To improve or move to a higher level
Solid foundation – A strong base to build on
To stick (with a goal/to a plan) – To continue working toward a goal without quitting
To unlock opportunities – To access new chances or possibilities
Effective – Successful at producing the desired result
To fuel discipline – To strengthen self-control and commitment
To prioritize – To decide what’s most important
Abstract – Not specific or clear
Concrete – Clear and specific
Clear direction – A well-defined path toward a goal
Meaningful – Valuable and important
Realistic – Practical or possible to achieve
To commit to something – To promise to do something regularly
Sustainable – Able to continue over time without burning out
To pace yourself – To control the speed so you can keep going
Incremental progress – Small steps forward over time
To cram – To study a lot in a short time
To follow through – To complete what you planned
To feel proud of progress – To recognize and appreciate your achievements
Scattered – Spread out and unfocused
Bouncing between – Moving quickly from one thing to another
Structure – Organized and planned format
To align with – To match or support a goal
To map out a plan – To create a clear, step-by-step strategy
Streamlined – Simplified and efficient
To stop second-guessing – To stop doubting your decisions
To zone in on – To focus closely on something
Confidently – In a way that shows self-assurance
To build friendships – To create and strengthen relationships
To connect with people – To form meaningful communication with others
Proficiency test – A test that shows your skill level
To expand career options – To increase professional opportunities
To rehearse – To practice before performing
Pitch – A prepared presentation or proposal
To get feedback – To receive helpful advice or responses
Real-life outcomes – Results that happen in everyday life
Lasting change – Long-term improvement or transformation
To get clear on – To fully understand something
To stay consistent – To keep doing something regularly
To stay motivated – To continue feeling inspired to act
✨ Quick Tip: How to Set an English Goal That Actually Works
Ready to stop chasing vague goals and start making real progress? Here’s a 5-step process to help you create a goal that motivates you and actually fits your life:
1. Start with your why.
Ask yourself: Why am I learning English?
Is it to travel confidently, apply for a job, pass an exam, or connect with new people? Your why gives your goal meaning and keeps you motivated.
2. Define your what.
What exactly do you want to achieve?
Be specific. Not “I want to be fluent,” but something like “I want to lead business meetings in English” or “I want to score 6.5 on the IELTS.”
3. Make it measurable.
How will you know you’re making progress?
Use tools like English levels (B2), test scores, or habits you can track—like “study 5 hours a week” or “learn 10 new words every Monday.”
4. Set a realistic timeline.
When do you want to reach this goal—and what pace can you commit to?
It’s okay if it takes 6 months or a year. What matters is consistency and building a plan you can actually follow.
5. Choose your strategy.
What will you do each week to get there?
Pick tools and routines that match your goal. Focus on quality over quantity. One good plan beats 10 scattered apps or unfinished courses.
✍️ Practice Prompts for Speaking & Writing
Use these questions to build fluency, self-awareness, and goal-setting confidence:
🗣️ Speaking/Writing :
What’s one specific goal you want to achieve in English over the next 3–12 months?
Why does this goal matter to you? What personal or professional impact would it have?
How will you measure your progress and know when you've succeeded?
How many hours per week can you realistically commit to reaching this goal?
What tools and resources will help you get there?
How can you simplify your routine to stay focused and avoid burnout?
📚 Resources & Tools for this Episode
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This episode is part of my B1 to B2 English Fluency Series. Each episode helps you expand your vocabulary, improve comprehension, and speak with more confidence.
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🚀Upgrade to the Fluency Community
Join for just $5/month and get access to the B1 to B2 interactive course with reading, listening, speaking, and writing activities—designed to help you reach B2 English fluency faster.
