Patina · English Expressions

Talking About the Future

ask about plans  ·  hope  ·  encourage  ·  wish  ·  why become a citizen

What to say when someone talks about plans and dreams. Click the speaker to hear each one, say it out loud, then read the whole conversation with a partner.

★ asking, hoping  ·  ★★ encouraging, wishing, why become a citizen  ·  ★★★ the whole conversation

Download the PDF PDF · 3 pages

For the teacher · In class

Present one part at a time (Present, or ⤢ on a block). Play each phrase and let the room repeat it, then two students say the part's exchange out loud. End with The whole conversation in pairs, with their own plans and dreams, then open the breakout rooms. Why become a citizen? is real USCIS reasons, not an interview script: never tell students the officer will ask it.

Unit 1 teacher's key (PDF)

★ Asking about the future

Ask about plans and dreams. Click the speaker to hear each one.

Ask:

  • What are your plans?
  • What do you hope to do?
  • What’s your dream?
  • What would you like to do someday?

You can answer:

  • I hope to ___.
  • I plan to ___.
  • I’d like to ___.
  • I dream of ___.

Then ask back:

  • What about you?
  • How about you?

★ Hoping

Someone asks a yes or no question about the future. Answer with hope.

You think yes

  • I hope so!
  • Fingers crossed!

You think no

  • I hope not!

You don’t know

  • Maybe someday.
  • We’ll see.

Tip: Will it rain tomorrow? I hope not! Hope so and hope not are complete answers. Do not add more words.

Try it together

  1. AWill you pass the civics test?
  2. BI hope so! Fingers crossed!

★★ Encouraging

A friend tells you a dream. Help them feel strong.

Say:

  • Good luck!
  • You can do it!
  • Go for it!
  • That’s a great goal!
  • I believe in you.

Answer:

  • Thanks!
  • Thank you. I hope so.

Try it together

  1. AI dream of opening a bakery.
  2. BThat’s a great goal! Go for it!
  3. AThanks!

★★ Wishing

Answer when something is a nice idea, but it probably won’t happen.

Say:

  • I wish!
  • If only!
  • Me too!

Tip: Are you going to win the lottery? I wish! It means: that’s a nice idea, but no.

Try it together

  1. ADo you have a long vacation this year?
  2. BI wish!

★★ Why become a citizen?

Answer the big question. Use hope to, would like to and dream of.

Someone asks you:

  • Why do you want to become a U.S. citizen?

You can answer:

  • I hope to vote.
  • I’d like to bring my family here.
  • I’d like to travel with a U.S. passport.
  • I hope to serve on a jury.
  • I dream of working for the government.
  • This is my home.

Tip: These are real reasons from USCIS: vote, serve on a jury, travel with a U.S. passport, bring your family, work for the government.

★★★ The whole conversation

Read it with a partner. Then talk about your own plans and dreams.

The whole conversation

  1. AWhat are your plans this year?
  2. BI hope to become a citizen. My interview is next month.
  3. AGood luck! You can do it!
  4. BThanks. I study for the civics test every day.
  5. AWhy do you want to become a citizen?
  6. BI hope to vote. And I’d like to bring my family here.
  7. AWill you pass the test?
  8. BI hope so! Fingers crossed! What about you?
  9. AI dream of opening a bakery.
  10. BThat’s a great goal! Go for it!
  11. AMaybe someday. First, I need to save money.
  12. BMe too!