Future Meaning
• analyse ways English refers to the future
• look at how future forms are tackled in
teaching activities & resources
• prepare teaching presentations
How do we refer to the future in
English?
• Structures
– will + base form
– am/is/are going to + base form
– present continuous
– present simple
– will + be + verb-ing (future continuous)
– will + have + past participle (future perfect)
Meaning
“Will” future
will + base
form
Predictions without any obvious use
of current or prior knowledge
Decisions at the moment of speaking
“Going to”
Intentions (not necessarily planned)
future
am/is/are going
Predictions based on current evidence.
to + base form
Meaning
Present
Continuous
plans & arrangements (“diary”)
Present Simple fixed future events (“timetable”)
Future
continuous
Future Perfect
something happening at or around a
particular future time
something completed by a certain time
in the future.
How else do we refer to the future
in English?
• verbs like want, hope, expect carry a
future meaning (when followed by to +
verb)
• modals of possibility (e.g. might, may, can)
Language Selection
• In what order should we teach the
grammar points? Consider:
–usefulness
–frequency
–difficulty
The conventional order is…
• Beginners/elementary
– Present continuous (arrangements): ease of
form and concept.
– Going to (predictions and intentions):
usefulness, frequency and relative ease,
– Will (offers, etc): usefulness
The conventional order…
• Intermediate:
– Will (predictions): usefulness and frequency
– if/when ...: usefulness, clauses
– Might/may: usefulness, frequency and ease
• Upper-intermediate/Advanced:
– Future continuous and future perfect:
relatively infrequent structures
Materials
• Look at the materials. Identify:
– the structures that are being presented
– the two concepts that are being
presented
– the context(s) & methods used
– ways that the learners’ understanding is
checked
Bolton, D & Goodey, N. 1999 Trouble with Verbs. Addlestone: DELTA Publishing
McGowen, B. & Richardson, V. 2000. Clockwise Pre-Intermediate, Oxford: OUP
Soars, J. & Soars, L. 2000. New Headway English Course – Pre-Intermediate.
Oxford: OUP
Presentations
• Your presentations should include:
• Context: a situation that illustrates the item(s) (and
contrasts them if appropriate)
• Task: an activity to focus the learners on the meaning
&/or contrast
• Examples: at least three or four examples of the
item in the context
• Checking: e.g. concept questions and/or timelines
Now open the envelopes…
Learner Problems
• The moment I get home today I going to
play a computer game. Then to eat a
sandwich.
• Once this lesson has finished I meet my
friend because we go to the cinema. After
maybe we take a coffee in any café.
• Once this lesson has finished I’ll go to my
house. I’ll read the newspaper and
prepare a nice dinner.
Learner Problems
• When I have enough money… I never will
have enough money. But if I will, I will visit
many countries.
• When I’m next on holiday I am spending a
good time with my family.
• This time next year I will study for my final
examination. I think my life won’t be much
different.
Learner Problems
• In five years time maybe I am going to
have a better job. I’ll like to start my own
business.
• By the time I retire I hope I will save
enough money for buy a nice house by
sea.
Learner Problems - Pronunciation
• The children won’t go to bed.
• What’ll you do if it rains?
• Where shall we go?