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

“Going to” futuream/is/are going to + base form

Predictions without any obvious use of current or prior knowledge

Decisions at the moment of speaking

Intentions (not necessarily planned)

Predictions based on current evidence.

Meaning

plans & arrangements (“diary”)

fixed future events (“timetable”)

something happening at or around a particular future time

something completed by a certain time in the future.

Present Continuous

Present Simple

Future continuous

Future Perfect

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 PublishingMcGowen, B. & Richardson, V. 2000. Clockwise Pre-Intermediate, Oxford: OUPSoars, 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?