Learn to talk about your future plans in English using “going to” and “will.” This beginner ESL lesson helps you make sentences about tomorrow and beyond.

Hello, students! This lesson teaches beginner ESL students how to discuss their future plans in English using the common phrases “going to” and “will.” You will learn simple sentences and practice forming questions and answers about what you plan to do.

50 – Future Plans in English: ESL Lesson on “Going To” and “Will”

Hello, students! Today we will learn to talk about your future plans in English. This lesson will help you share what you want to do tomorrow, next week, or next year. We will focus on two very important ways to talk about the future: “going to” and “will“. These are great for beginner English conversation. Let’s start!

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MODE 1: The Foundation – Being in the Future

In Mode 1, we use only the verb ‘to be’. This helps us describe states or situations in the future. We do not use action verbs here. Remember: ‘am’, ‘are’, ‘is’ are for now. ‘Was’, ‘were’ are for the past. ‘Will be’ is for the future.

Future Plans: Examples with ‘Will Be’

• I will be happy tomorrow. (State of being)
• She will be a doctor someday. (Future identity)
• We will be at the park later. (Future location)
• It will be cold next week. (Future condition)

MODE 2: The Flow – Action in Progress in the Future

In Mode 2, we talk about actions that are happening now, happened in the past, or will be happening in the future. We use ‘to be’ + verb with -ing. For future plans, we use ‘will be’ + verb-ing.

Future Plans: Examples with ‘Will Be + -ing’

• Past: I was walking to school yesterday.
• Present: I am walking to school now.
• Future: I will be walking to school tomorrow.
• Past: They were studying English.
• Present: They are studying English.
• Future: They will be studying English tonight.

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MODE 3: The Perspective – Simple Future Tense (Will & Going To)

This mode is very important for talking about future plans in English! We use simple tenses for actions that will happen. For the future, we use “will” or “going to”.

Using “Will” for Future Plans

We use “will” for quick decisions, predictions, or promises.

• Declaration: I will study English tonight.
• Negation: I will not (won’t) study English tonight.
• Question: Will you study English tonight?

Using “Going To” for Future Plans

We use “going to” for plans you made before, or for things you see are about to happen.

• Declaration: She is going to visit her friend tomorrow.
• Negation: She is not going to visit her friend tomorrow.
• Question: Is she going to visit her friend tomorrow?

MODE 4: The Completion – Actions Finished in the Future

In Mode 4, we talk about actions that are completed. For the future, we use Future Perfect: ‘will have’ + Past Participle. This means an action will be finished before a certain time in the future.

Future Plans: Examples with ‘Will Have’

• Past Perfect: I had finished my homework before my mom came home.
• Present Perfect: I have finished my homework already.
• Future Perfect: I will have finished my homework by 8 PM. (The homework will be 100% done before 8 PM.)
• Future Perfect: By next year, she will have learned a lot of English.
• Future Perfect: We will have eaten dinner before the movie starts.

MODE 5: The Strategy – Modals and Questions for Future Plans in English

Mode 5 helps us ask questions and add special meanings to our sentences about future plans. We use modals and WH-questions.

Modals for Future Plans

Modals add ideas like possibility, advice, or necessity to your future plans.

• Should: You should study more English. (Advice for the future)
• May/Might: I may/might go to the park tomorrow. (Possibility)
• Must: I must finish my project soon. (Necessity for a future action)
• Can: I can meet you later. (Ability for a future action)

WH-Questions for Future Plans

We use WH-questions to ask for specific information about future plans.

• What are you going to do tomorrow?
• Where will you travel next year?
• When is he going to finish his work?
• Why will they move to a new city?
• How are you going to learn English?

To learn more about English grammar and vocabulary, learn more on our ESL homepage.

Vocabulary List (Beginner Level)

• plan – something you want to do in the future
• tomorrow – the day after today
• next week – the week after this one
• next year – the year after this one
• going to – used for future plans already decided
• will – used for future decisions made now, or predictions
• visit – to go see someone or a place
• travel – to go to another place, often far away
• study – to learn about a subject
• finish – to complete something
• start – to begin something
• project – a planned piece of work
• decide – to choose something
• prediction – saying what you think will happen

Practice Dialogue (Beginner Conversation)

Here is a short conversation about future plans in English.

A: What are you going to do this weekend?

B: I am going to visit my family. It’s my plan.

A: Oh, nice! Will you travel far?

B: Yes, I will go to another city. It will take two hours.

A: What will you do with them?

B: We are going to cook dinner and talk a lot.

A: Sounds fun! I will study English on Saturday.

B: Good idea! I will also finish my homework on Sunday.

FAQ: Common Questions About This Topic

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• Q: How do I talk about my future plans in English?
  A: You can say, “I am going to travel” for plans you made, or “I will help you” for a quick decision.
• Q: What is the difference between “will” and “going to”?
  A: Use “going to” for plans you already decided. Use “will” for decisions you make right now, or to predict something.
• Q: Can I use “will” for a promise?
  A: Yes! For example, “I will call you tomorrow.”
• Q: Do I always need “to be” with “going to”?
  A: Yes, always use ‘am’, ‘is’, or ‘are’ before “going to” (e.g., “I am going to play”).

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Learn to easily express your future plans in English using ‘going to’ and ‘will’. This guide is perfect for beginner ESL learners.

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