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Maximise Your English Learning Diary: 7 Types of Lists to Use

Updated: Jul 17


Whether you are new to writing in your diary as an English learner or been practising for a while - using lists can be really helpful.


You can compile lists of things you want to do, goals you want to achieve, places you want to go, and so much more.



The 7 types of lists you can use in your English Learning Diary / Journal


Write down lists in your diary.
Use Lists in your English Diary Writing

1. Goals and To-Do Lists

2. Past Achievements and Done Lists

3. Things to Do

4. Bucket Lists

5. Gratitude Lists

6. What Makes You Happy

7. Memorable Moments




Vocabulary Check!

Meaning: bucket list = things to achieve and do before we die



Check out our YouTube Video:


An infographic - 7 types of list for English Learners Diary
Infographic - 7 types of list










1. Goals and To-Do Lists


Add your to-do lists and compile any goals you want to achieve.


These are some of the simplest to write out, and surprisingly give you the most insight into what you want to journal about.





The great thing about these lists is that you can go any direction with them, and they don’t have to be overly detailed if you don’t want them to be.









Write a daily, weekly or monthly to-do list
Write a to-do list

Start simply with just a to-do list. It can be a to-do list for the day, week, month, or even the year.


Whatever comes to your mind, put on your list.




2. Past Achievements and Done Lists


Don’t just focus on what you think you “need” to do. Find a way to be proud of all the things you've already done.


Sometimes we focus so much on what needs to be done, what to improve, what goals to reach etc. We forget about the things we already have or achieved.


Look at the following example situations:


i. Do you have a job you tried really hard to get?

ii. Are you proud of your college degree?

iii.Do you have a talent or skill you are especially proud of?

iv.Did you finally do something you always had on your bucket list?

v. Are you proud of the person you have become?

vi. Did you go through something challenging and overcame it?



Write about your achievements
Write a 'done' list

You may have other achievements related to your English Learning journey.


For example:

Perhaps when you first learnt Conditionals in English Grammar it was confusing for you because of the rules and sentence pattern. But now you've mastered it.


So do include this in your 'done' list.



3. Things to Do


If you find yourself stuck on what to write about, just make a list of things you want to do.


This could be a list of:

An easy way to write in your diary in English
Make a list of foreign countries you want to visit

-places you want to visit,

-foreign countries you want to travel to,

-books you want to read,

-TV shows you want to watch,

-crafts you want to create,

-classes you want to take


and any type of list you want to include.




4. Bucket Lists


Take this one step further by writing out some bucket lists you have for your life.


This is a fun activity that can help you see what you want out of life, and you might even get some new ideas for your diary entries in the near future.


It could be anything e.g. getting married
Write about your life bucket lists

Your bucket list is typically not about any one specific topic, but more a general list of everything you want to do in life.


It can be buying your first house or moving to your dream city, going on a vacation you have always wanted to go on, falling in love or getting married, learning to play a musical instrument or taking an art class.


Think of things big and small that you someday want to do, accomplish, or experience.



5. Gratitude Lists


What are you the most grateful for?


Writing down gratitude lists in your diary provides a lot of great benefits, not just for your journaling routine, but your mindset and life in general.


A really good journaling habit is to write a list of what you are grateful for each day.


Some days, you will have the same items as the day before, while other days you have something new to add.


Record down things you're grateful for.
Start a gratitude list

It might be what seem like basic things like items in your home that make your life easier or just appreciating your home and security.


e.g. you're happy that you have the microwave oven because you can easily warm up food every day after work



e.g. You're grateful that your mother helps look after your son while you're at work



Other days, you will be grateful for a really nice gesture from a stranger, and just for your life that day.


Your gratitude list will change as the blessings in your life do, and all of them are equally important.




6. What Makes You Happy


Another type of list to add to your diary is a list of what makes you happy. This is another way to approach a gratitude list, but written in a different way.


It gives you the opportunity to highlight what actually brings you the most joy, not just what you appreciate having in your life.


Make a happy list in your diary
What makes you happy?


Think deeply about what really makes you happy, what brings you joy, what you feel is the meaning of life.


These are the profound items to go on this particular list in your journal.



You might also discover a lot more about yourself by writing what makes you happy, because it gives you a lot more clarity about who you are and what you want out of life.



7. Memorable Moments


Take a walk down memory lane by writing down a list of some of the most memorable moments and favourite memories of your life so far.


This can be a simple list on one page in your diary where you just summarise quickly what each moment is.


Write about your favourite memories
A memorable moments list


You can also make a more detailed list where you describe what happened or how you feel when you think about that particular memory.


This can be a growing list you go back to again and again with new moments you want to add to it.




English Learning Tip!


As you write in your diary, do not worry about your grammar too much. Just write out what you feel on paper.


You can always check back your grammar at a future time. What's more important is being able to make English sentences to express yourself.



Do try out these 7 types of lists you can use in your diary to help you in your English learning journey.



Thank you so much for reading and Happy Learning!






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