9．Mountaineers can be a pretty tough crowd-and among them the British Joe Simpson has legendary status．In 1985，Simpson set out to climb Siula Grande in South America．Shortly after he reached the peak，Simpson fell through an overhanging ledge of snow and broke his leg．At this altitude a broken leg means almost certain death，but Simpson somehow managed to drag himself across fields of ice and stone until he reached base camp eight kilometers away．He chose immediate goals，such as reaching a nearby rock，and then gave himself a time limit to get there．Over and over again Simpson broke the main task down into smaller goals．
Break your main task into smaller goals．This is often the key to a successful plan to achieve challenging objectives that seem to be"mission impossible"．
Language learning，similar to mountain climbing to some extent，is a daunting task facing most language learners．However，learning from the above story，we can apply Simpson's method to language study．My top tips for designing a study plan are as follows：
1．Understand what kind of learner you are．
Some people are"visual learners"and remember best by seeing pictures and visualizing things in their mind； others are"auditory"and are happy to learn by listening；"kinesthetic"learners tend to learn by doing things and experience．
2．Realize your own competence．
What are your strengths and weaknesses？Which skill or skills are you going to improve most？Allocate your time to each skill appropriately．It is better to do a little every day than try to"cram"（死记硬背）lots in a short space of time．
3．Write down your plan on a calendar．
Decide which skill and what area you are going to practice each day．More importantly，your plan should be specific and practical．Once you have a clear goal in your mind，write it down on your calendar．Each day you should carry out your plan according to your schedule．Do not delay or make up any excuses because you fail to complete your daily task．
Studying is like climbing a mountain and you should take one step at a time．At first sight，a mountain may seem extremely high and it is impossible for you to reach its peak．However，when you set out to climb it step by step you will find that it is not so difficult as you think．Similarly，it is also true in language learning．You can improve your language skills in each aspect step by step．Don't be frightened by the seemingly hard task．Break it into smaller goals and you will fulfill your dream．
| （106）Break/Split/Divideyour main task into smaller goals |
| Introduction | The story of a British mountaineer
◇In 1985，Simpson climbed Siula Grande．After （107）reachingthe peak，he fell and broke his leg．
◇Simpson managed to drag himself to base camp eight kilometers away．
◇He chose immediate goals and then （108）seta time limit． |
| （109）Suggestions/Tips/Advice | Understand what kind of learner you are．
◇"Visual learners"learn by seeing pictures and （110）visualizingthings in their mind．
◇"Auditory learners"learn by listening．
◇"Kinesthetic"learners tend to learn by doing things and experience． |
Realize your own competence．
◇Identify your strengths and weaknesses．
◇（111）Allocateyour time to each skill appropriately．
◇Do a little every day （112）ratherthan try to"cram"lots in a short time． |
Write down your plan on a calendar．
◇Decide which skill and what area you are going to practice each day．
◇（113）Makea specific and practical plan and then write it down on your calendar．
◇Carry out your plan on schedule．Do not delay or make up any excuses for your （114）failingto complete your daily task． |
| Conclusion | Language learning is （115）similarto mountain climbing．Take one step at a time and you will fulfill your dream． |
