Talking about the Future

Using the future tense is a great way to express your plans and desires for the future.  Let's take a look at how to talk about your dreams for the future.

Lisa: You know what Mark?  I am really excited about graduating from high school.  I am really looking   
forward to life after high school, because there is so much I want to do?

Mark:  What are your plans for the future?

Lisa:  Well, I am looking forward to university life.  I have always dreamed of going to Princeton and now
it's a dream come true.

Mark:  That is exciting.

Lisa:  What do you plan to do after you graduate from high school? 

Mark:  University was never something I saw myself doing immediately after graduating from high school. 
However, it's something I want to do in the near future. Let's say about 3 to 5 years.  Right now I have plans to travel the world. 

Lisa: Wow!  That sounds great Mark! Which country will your visit first?

Mark: I will be leaving for Japan a week after graduation.  I plan on backpacking around Asia and Europe.
Then do a cruise or group tour around Africa, Australia and South America. I have been saving up for this for a long time.  This is a dream come true to finally be able to do this.

Lisa:  I am jealous! Actually, I am really happy for you.  It sounds like it's going to be quite adventurous and
a lot of fun.  I have always wanted to travel, but it was something I wanted to do after I graduated from
university. 

Mark:  Have you chosen a major yet?

Lisa:  Yes, I have.  I plan on majoring in psychology.  It has been a dream of mine for a long time.  I
think it will be fulfilling and very rewarding, to be able to work in the field of psychiatry. 

Mark: You do sound quite passionate about it. I wish you all the best.  We will catch up later.  I got to run. Bye.

Lisa: Bye for now.

Now Your Turn!

Use the expressions below to create a dialogue about your plans for the future.

Expressions/Vocabulary:

"It's something I am passionate about."

"It will be fulfilling."

"I am excited about the future/my plans for the future."

"It is something that will make me very happy."

"It will bring a lot of joy."

"It's been a dream of mine (all my life)."

Complete the sentences below with the expresions above.
Question 1:  What are your plans for the future?
Answer 1:  I plan on/I want to ________________.

Question 2:  Why do you want to tour around Asia and Europe?
Answer 2:  I wanted to travel, because (Use an expression above).

Now, make up your own sentences about your plans for the future!

Great job for today!

Speaking in the Present

Let's look at how to speak about interests, hobbies, or just life in the present tense.


Mike: What do you do at the moment, Zoe?
Zoe: Well, I am an accountant?
Mike: Do you like what you do?
Zoe: Yes, I really enjoy my job. However, I have no time to for anything else.
Mike: What are your interests?
Zoe: I really love the outdoors.  I try to go camping and sometimes mountain climbing when I can. 
       How about you Mike? What do you do?
Mike: Well, I am a freelance writer, so I am able create my own hours. Making time for the fun stuff is not a
           problem.
Zoe:  So, what do you do in your spare time?
Mike: I love to mountain climb as well, but my favorite thing is to travel internationally.  It really gets the
          creative juices flowing. 
Zoe: I am really impressed!  I have to return to work now.  It's been nice speaking with you.
Mike: You too. Bye for now.
Zoe: Talk to you later.

Now your turn. 

On your own or with a friend.  Talk about your interests or your current life or lifestyle.

Question 1:  What are you studying?
Answer 1:  I am studying/majoring in __________________.

Question 2: What are your interests/hobbies?
Answer 2: I am into/My interests are______________________.

Question 3:  What do you like to do in your spare time?
Answer 3:   I like (to) ___________________ in my spare time.

Question 4:  What are you good at?
Answer 4:  (Try building this sentence on your own).

Great Job!

Talking About the Past

In many conversations, especially when introducing yourself to someone for the first time, there is usually an interest shown in understanding who you are by talking about past experiences and past events. We are now going to look at using the past tense.

Cameron: Hi Jake!
Jake: Hi Cameron!  How are you?
Cameron: Good! You don't look so good.  How was your weekend?
Jake: It was great!
Cameron:  What did you do? 
Jake:  I went to my girlfriend's birthday party. Then I went clubbing with the guys last night. I did not get home 'til 3am.  I am so tired...  What did you do on the weekend?
Cameron:  My weekend wasn't as eventful as yours, but it couldn't be helped.  I had two essays that are due today, so I had a lot of writing to do this weekend.  However... I took a break and went to the beach yesterday, so it wasn't all work.
Jake:  Well, I have a lecture right now, but I will catch up with you later.
Cameron: Sure! Talk to you then.
Jake: Okay, bye.
                
Now you can practice talking about past events too!  Make up your own questions.  Talk about where you are from, your childhood experiences or what you did last weekend.  Practice with a friend or on your own.

Example:

Question:  What did you do last weekend?

Answer: ____________________________________________________________ .

Answer Hint:

They went: nature/ siteseeing/to a picnic/partying/to the gym.

I went:  home/to a party/basketball game/studied.

Self-Introduction

We know what it takes to have a conversation, now let's look at how to introduce yourself.
The first thing you want to do when introducing yourself is to give your first name (in informal situations) and/or your full name (in formal situations).  Then talk about where you are from (your hometown or country of origin), your major or occupation (whichever applies), then talk about your hobbies. Here is a sample dialog detailing what this conversation should look like.

Dialog:

Akio and Gregory are in the waiting area at the public library waiting for it to open. However, they decided to make small talk while waiting for the library to open.

Akio: Hi.  My name is is Akio.  Nice to meet you.

Gregory:  Nice to meet you, too. My name is Gregory, but you can call me Greg. I just recently moved here (to New York) from California.
Akio: I did my business major in California at UCLA. It's a very nice place. I was born in Tokyo, Japan, but I've lived in New York most of my life with my mom, dad and my younger sister.

Gregory: Until recently, I've lived in California my entire life with my mom, dad and my two older brothers. I got my MBA at UCLA too! I graduated in 1995. What year did you graduate?

Akio: I graduated in 1997.  So, we were there at the the same time! That's quite some coincidence.  I found that almost everyone was into basketball.  I learned how to play basketball well at UCLA.

 Gregory: That's my favorite sport.  Maybe we can both get some of our friends together and play a game or two sometime.

Akio: Sounds like a plan. That would be great.  Here is my number, the best time to reach me is in the evenings.

Gregory:  Thank you.  Here's my number. You can reach me at any time. Bye.

Akio:  Thank you.  Nice speaking with you. Bye.

Vocabulary/Phrases:

"Hi/Hello.  My name is __________ ."

"What's your name?"

"How are you?"

"Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, too."

"Let's get together (sometime)." - this means to meet each other or come together.

"Where are you from?"

"I'm from ___________ (name of place/country)."

"Sounds like a plan." - means "sounds good" or "let's do it."

"What is your major./What are you studying (at the moment)."

"What do you do?"

"Are you a student?"

"I'm a student."

"I am a ________ (doctor/teacher/...)"


Now Your Turn!

Use the vocabulary above to introduce yourself.  Then switch roles and practice as often as you can until you are comfortable with the vocabulary.

You:  Hi. My name is ___________ (name). What's your name?

Your friend: My name is _______.  Nice to meet you." (Shake hands)

You: Nice to meet you too.

Your friend: ___________________ (continue the dialog using the phrases above).

You: ________________ (Respond).


Great job today!

Conversational English

We have looked at English basics, vocabulary and other relevant skills. Now let's take a look at basic conversational skills.

The most important element of any conversation is confidence. Many people know enough English to have a conversation, but are too shy or self-conscious to speak, especially with a native speaker. Pronunciation is also very important, because of the mere fact that if you cannot clearly enunciate your words then others will have a difficult time understanding you. Finally, sentence structure… It's very important to be able to clearly organize your thoughts and ideas so that others can understand what it is that you are trying to communicate.