How to write learning objectives: the ABCD model

A learning objective is the first thing teachers have to have in mind when planning a lesson. Learning objectives work as guides and set up what students should achieve in each lesson. These objectives also help both teachers to keep focused on the outcomes of activities and exercises in each English lesson. One model to write objectives is the ABCD. Each letter stands for an important section that each objective should have as described in the following lines,

• ​Audience: it refers to the group of people who should be able to achieve the learning objective. In the English class, students will be usually the audience.
• Behavior: it refers to a measurable behavior learners should be able to attain through the lesson or section of the lesson. It is always expressed by an infinitive form. It is advisable not to use too general verbs like learn, practice, talk about, and so on.
• Condition: it refers to the context or situation in which students should learn. The situation or context should resemble a communicative and realistic situation in as much as possible. For example, reading a recipe, listening to directions, writing a ‘to do list’, talking to a doctor, etc.
• Degree: it refers to the level of achievement expected. In English teaching, conditions are usually represented by the linguistic aspects students need to develop. In the case of productive skills, writing and speaking, fluency and accuracy might be the essential aspects to consider. In the case of receptive skills, listening and reading, the highest level of comprehension could be seen as the tacit degree expected.

Example:

Audience: Students
Behavior: To write
Condition: A postcard
Degree: Use of the simple present fluently and accurately.
 
Objective
Students will be able to write a postcard using the simple present fluently and accurately.