Future Simple vs Going to Future: Which One to Use?

• English
• Secundair onderwijs

Future Simple vs Going to Future: Which One to Use?

Learning Objective

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to distinguish between the future simple and going to future tenses, and use them correctly in your sentences.

Introduce the learning objective and explain why it is important to learn about these two future tenses.

What do you already know about future tenses in English?

What are the Future Simple and Going to Future?

Future Simple is used to talk about actions that will happen in the future, and Going to Future is used to talk about plans and intentions.

Explain the basic differences between the two future tenses, and give examples to illustrate.

Forming the Future Simple

The Future Simple is formed with 'will' + the base form of the verb. Example: I will study for my exam tomorrow.

Explain the structure of the Future Simple and give examples of how to use it in different contexts.

Forming the Going to Future

The Going to Future is formed with 'am/are/is' + 'going to' + the base form of the verb. Example: I am going to watch a movie tonight.

Explain the structure of the Going to Future and give examples of how to use it in different contexts.

Future Simple vs Going to Future: Differences in Meaning

Future Simple is used to talk about predictions, promises, and spontaneous decisions, while Going to Future is used to talk about plans and intentions.

Explain the different meanings conveyed by the two future tenses, and give examples to illustrate.

Examples of Future Simple

I will call you later. She will graduate next year. They will travel to Europe next summer.

Provide a list of examples of sentences using Future Simple, and ask the students to identify the use of the tense in each sentence.

Examples of Going to Future

I am going to buy a new car. We are going to have a party next weekend. He is going to take a cooking class.

Provide a list of examples of sentences using Going to Future, and ask the students to identify the use of the tense in each sentence.

Forming Questions with Future Simple

To form questions with Future Simple, invert 'will' and the subject. Example: Will you come to my party?

Explain how to form questions with Future Simple, and give examples to illustrate.

Forming Questions with Going to Future

To form questions with Going to Future, invert 'am/are/is' and the subject. Example: Are you going to study tonight?

Explain how to form questions with Going to Future, and give examples to illustrate.

Negative Forms of Future Simple

To form negative sentences with Future Simple, add 'not' after 'will'. Example: I will not forget your birthday.

Explain how to form negative sentences with Future Simple, and give examples to illustrate.

Negative Forms of Going to Future

To form negative sentences with Going to Future, add 'not' after 'am/are/is'. Example: We are not going to watch TV tonight.

Explain how to form negative sentences with Going to Future, and give examples to illustrate.

Practice Exercise 1

Rewrite the following sentences using Future Simple: 1. They are going to visit their grandparents next month. 2. I am going to buy a new computer next week. 3. She is going to start her own business next year.

Ask the students to work in pairs or groups to rewrite the sentences using Future Simple, and then ask some students to read out their answers.

Practice Exercise 2

Rewrite the following sentences using Going to Future: 1. I will finish my project tomorrow. 2. They will move to a new city next year. 3. She will study abroad next semester.

Ask the students to work in pairs or groups to rewrite the sentences using Going to Future, and then ask some students to read out their answers.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Some common mistakes to avoid when using Future Simple and Going to Future include: using them interchangeably, forgetting to use 'not' in negative sentences, and using them inappropriately for predictions and plans.

List some common mistakes that students make when using Future Simple and Going to Future, and give some tips on how to avoid them.

Application Exercise 1

Write a paragraph about your plans for the weekend using Going to Future. Make sure to include at least three sentences and use the correct form and structure of the tense.

Ask the students to work individually to write a paragraph about their plans for the weekend using Going to Future, and then ask some students to read out their paragraphs.

Application Exercise 2

Write a paragraph about your predictions for the future using Future Simple. Make sure to include at least three sentences and use the correct form and structure of the tense.

Ask the students to work individually to write a paragraph about their predictions for the future using Future Simple, and then ask some students to read out their paragraphs.

Interactive Exercise 1

Ask the students to work in pairs to ask and answer questions using Future Simple and Going to Future. They can use the question prompts provided by the teacher, or come up with their own. Remind them to use the correct form and structure of the tenses.

Prepare a list of question prompts or let the students come up with their own. Monitor their conversations and provide feedback.

Interactive Exercise 2

Ask the students to work in groups to create a dialogue using Future Simple and Going to Future. They can choose a topic or situation, and write a short dialogue that involves the two tenses. Remind them to use the correct form and structure of the tenses.

Monitor their dialogues and provide feedback on their use of the tenses.

Summary

In this lesson, we learned about the differences between Future Simple and Going to Future, and how to use them correctly in our sentences. We also practiced using the tenses in different contexts and situations.

Summarize the main points of the lesson and ask the students if they have any questions or feedback.

Assessment

To assess the students' understanding of Future Simple and Going to Future, ask them to write a short paragraph that uses both tenses correctly. Provide feedback on their use of the tenses and their overall writing skills.

Collect the paragraphs from the students and assess their use of the tenses and their writing skills.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.