New Year, New Dreams: Setting Learning Goals in Russian
As we begin 2026, we reflect on the power of мечта—the Russian word for dream—and how setting meaningful goals helps our students grow.
The new year brings fresh energy to our classrooms. Students return from the holidays with stories to share and a renewed мечта—dream—for what they want to achieve.
Why Goals Matter
At RLA, we encourage students to set simple, achievable goals for their Russian learning. Maybe it's memorizing a new poem, reading their first short story, or finally mastering those tricky verb aspects. The key is making goals personal and meaningful.
Our teachers help students articulate their goals in Russian, turning goal-setting itself into a language exercise. "Я хочу..." (I want to...) becomes one of the first phrases they practice this month.
Celebrating Small Wins
We believe every step forward deserves recognition. When a student achieves a goal, we celebrate together. This builds confidence and shows that progress, not perfection, is what matters.
Word of the Month: Мечта
Мечта (mech-TA) means more than just "dream." While English distinguishes between a sleeping dream and an aspiration, Russian uses мечта specifically for hopes and aspirations—the dreams we work toward while awake. When a child says "Моя мечта—говорить по-русски" (My dream is to speak Russian), they're expressing something deeply personal.
This month, ask your child about their мечта for the year ahead.
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