🎯 Learning Objectives
- Distinguish between the uses of "will," "be going to," and present continuous for future events
- Use "will," "be going to," and present continuous correctly to make predictions, state plans, and describe arrangements in business situations
- Recognize appropriate time expressions associated with each future form
- Demonstrate the ability to choose the correct future form based on context in professional communication
We use different forms to talk about the future in English. The three main forms at A2 level are will, be going to, and the present continuous for future.
1. Will + base verb
Form: Subject + will + base verb (e.g., I will attend.)Use: Spontaneous decisions, predictions based on opinion, offers and promises
Time words: tomorrow, next week/month/year, soon, I think, probably
2. Be going to + base verb
Form: Subject + am/is/are + going to + base verbUse: Plans and intentions (decided before), predictions based on present evidence
Time words: tomorrow, next week/month/year, soon, in X days/weeks
3. Present Continuous for Future
Form: Subject + am/is/are + verb-ingUse: Fixed arrangements and appointments (often with specific time/place)
Time words: tomorrow, next week, on Monday, at 3 pm, this evening
🔑 Key Learning Tip: Think about why you are talking about the future:
• Spontaneous decision or general prediction? → will
• A plan you made earlier or prediction based on current evidence? → be going to
• A fixed arrangement with specific time/place, like an appointment? → present continuous
📅 Client Meetings: "I am meeting the new client at 2 PM" (Arrangement)
💼 Responding to Requests: "Sure, I'll do it right away" (Spontaneous offer)
✈️ Business Travel: "She is flying to Berlin next Tuesday for the conference" (Arrangement)
📈 Making Predictions: "Based on current trends, profits will likely rise" (Opinion)
🤝 Team Updates: "John is giving a presentation later today" (Arrangement)
🎯 Networking Events: "I will probably meet some useful contacts there" (Prediction)
✅ Correct Professional Usage
❌ Common Business Mistakes
Listen to Sarah and Mark discussing the Alpha Project launch and future business plans:
Audio: Alpha Project Discussion
Sarah: Hi Mark, thanks for calling back.
Mark: No problem, Sarah. You mentioned the Alpha Project launch? How are things progressing? It sounds like it's getting busy!
Sarah: Yes, it is! So, first, the marketing team is finalizing the campaign materials this week. They confirmed that they are going to send everything to us by Friday. I hope so, because we need to review them.
Mark: Good to hear marketing is on track. What about your key meetings for next week?
Sarah: Right. Next week, I am meeting with the sales department on Monday morning to align our strategies. It's a very important meeting. Then, on Wednesday, we are holding a full team briefing. Everyone needs to be there.
Mark: Okay, understood. And what about the technical side? Any updates from the dev team?
Sarah: Ah, yes. So, the dev team is going to complete the final testing phase by next Tuesday. That's good news. If they find any critical bugs, they will fix them immediately, of course.
Mark: Excellent. That covers the main teams. What about your personal tasks? That stakeholder presentation must be a big one.
Sarah: It is. I also need to prepare my presentation for them. I am going to work on that over the weekend. It will probably take me a full day.
Mark: Sounds like a busy weekend for you. Oh, by the way, Sarah, could I get a copy of the latest budget report when you have a moment?
Sarah: Oh, you need the budget report? Okay, I'll send it to you after this call. No problem at all.
Mark: Great, thanks! So, overall, are we looking good for the launch date?
Sarah: So, the plan is quite tight. If everything goes well, we are going to launch on schedule, in two weeks! I'm quite optimistic. I think it will be a successful launch.
Mark: That's fantastic news, Sarah. Let's definitely connect early next week then.
Sarah: Yes, let's touch base again early next week. Thanks, Mark! Bye.
Mark: Bye, Sarah!
Exercise A: Choose the Correct Form
Read the sentences and choose the correct future form from the options in parentheses.
1. We (are having / will have / are going to have) a critical meeting with the investors next Tuesday at 10 AM. It's already in everyone's calendar.
2. I think our company (expands / will expand / is expanding) into the Asian market next year.
3. My manager asked me to book a flight to London. I (am going to book / will book / am booking) it this afternoon.
4. "The presentation files are too large to email." "Okay, I (upload / am going to upload / 'll upload) them to the cloud drive then."
5. Watch out! That box (is falling / will fall / is going to fall)!
Exercise B: Gap Fill
Complete the sentences with the correct form using the verb in parentheses.
1. We _______ (launch) the new product line next month as planned.
2. I _______ (board) the train from Platform 3 at 11:05 AM. I have to be on time!
3. I'm not sure about the weather for the company picnic. I hope it _______ (not / rain).
4. My colleague _______ (give) a presentation on market trends at the conference tomorrow afternoon. Her name is in the program.
5. "Can you help me with these boxes?" "Of course, I _______ (take) the heavy one."
Exercise C: Word Order/Sentence Building
Put the words in the correct order to make sentences about future business activities.
1. Our / visiting / next / client / is / new / week / us / .
2. The / budget / is / to / project / going / discuss / the / team / .
3. Will / presentation / you / the / give / tomorrow / ?
4. I / meeting / department / with / am / later / the / sales / .
5. They / meet / the / probably / won't / deadline / .
📋 Prepare these speaking tasks for your next class with your teacher:
Preparation for Class: Look at your business schedule for next week. Prepare 3-4 sentences describing your arrangements using the Present Continuous.
Preparation tips: Think of typical work appointments: meetings, calls, presentations. Use time expressions: "On Monday morning...", "At 3 PM on Tuesday..."
Example: "On Monday morning, I am meeting with my team to plan the week."
Preparation for Class: Imagine you are a project manager. Prepare to tell your team about the next steps for a project using "be going to".
Preparation tips: Think of project phases: research, design, development, testing, launch. Structure: "First, we are going to... Then, we are going to..."
Example: "First, we are going to finalize the design mock-ups by Wednesday."
Preparation for Class: Prepare to respond to business scenarios. Practice choosing the right future form based on context.
Preparation guidance: Is it a problem you can offer to solve now? (→ "I'll...") Is it about existing plans? (→ "I'm going to..." / "I'm -ing...") Is it asking for a prediction? (→ "I think it will...")
Practice with your teacher in class!
📚 Lesson Summary for Teachers
Grammar Focus: Future forms - will, be going to, present continuous for future
Key Challenge: Students often confuse the three forms. Focus on the "why" behind each choice - spontaneous vs planned vs arranged.
🎯 Speaking Practice Guidance
Task 1: Listen for correct Present Continuous usage for fixed arrangements. Check for clear time expressions.
Task 2: Ensure students use "be going to" correctly for plans. Prompt for logical sequencing if needed.
Task 3: Provide scenarios like: "The report isn't ready yet" (expect: "I'll finish it now") or "What are your goals for next quarter?" (expect: "We are going to increase sales")
⚠️ Common Student Errors to Watch For
- Using Present Simple for future arrangements: "I meet the client tomorrow" ❌
- Confusing "will" and "going to" for predictions
- Using Present Continuous for general predictions without arrangements
💡 Teaching Tips
- Use the timeline approach: past ← now → future (planned) → future (arranged) → future (spontaneous)
- Emphasize context clues: "I think" = will, "It's in my calendar" = present continuous
- Practice with real business scenarios from students' work experience
🎯 Professional Key Takeaways:
Will in Business: Use for spontaneous decisions, offers, promises, and predictions based on opinion. (e.g., "I'll help you.")Be going to in Business: Use for plans and intentions made before speaking, and predictions based on present evidence. (e.g., "We are going to launch a new campaign.")
Present Continuous in Business: Use for fixed future arrangements and appointments, often with a specific time/place. (e.g., "I am meeting the client at 2 PM.")
💼 Professional Study Tips:
• Calendar Check: Look at your work calendar. Practice saying what you "are doing" (arrangements) and "are going to do" (plans)
• Listen in Meetings: Pay attention to how colleagues talk about future tasks and deadlines
• "Why" Question: Before speaking about the future, ask yourself why - sudden idea? plan? appointment?
🔄 Next Lesson Preview: Past Simple & Past Continuous - Professional storytelling and reporting