Remember that this skill, like any other, requires practice.
Don’t ask if you don’t want to know! Asking students to write down their goals implies that you are planning to read them and respond in a meaningful way.
Don’t be hesitant to tell students about any differences between their goals and your goals for the course. If they express goals that you cannot or will not address, they should know that from the start.
Make an effort to respond to student goals in some way-particularly goals that are expressed by many students. You may, for instance, make changes in course content or allow some alternative assignments or suggest additional readings.