TEACHER'S TOOLKIT

Мої майбутні плани. My Future Plans. 

VOCABULARY

Огляд 'Your Riverschool – Мої майбутні плани' 

Date: October 26, 2023 

Prepared For: Intended Audience - Teachers of English. 

Subject: Analysis of Learning Materials on Expressing Future Plans in Maritime English

1. Overview:

This briefing document reviews the learning materials titled "Мої майбутні плани" (My Future Plans) from the "Your Riverschool" platform. The materials focus on equipping Ukrainian-speaking maritime students with the grammatical structures necessary to discuss their future plans and aspirations in English. The core grammatical concepts covered are the use of "will," "going to," the present continuous for future plans, verb of intention + infinitive, the perfect form of the infinitive, and the present perfect tense in adverbial clauses, culminating in the future perfect tense. The materials utilize explanations, examples relevant to the maritime profession (e.g., motormen, ship employment), dialogues, and multiple-choice questions to facilitate learning and comprehension.

2. Main Themes and Important Ideas/Facts:

The overarching theme of these materials is to provide practical English language skills for maritime students to effectively communicate about their future career paths and intentions. Key grammatical concepts are presented with a clear focus on their specific usage and nuances.

2.1. Expressing Immediate vs. Pre-planned Future Actions:

• The materials clearly differentiate between using "will" for spontaneous decisions made during a conversation and "going to" for plans made prior to the moment of speaking.

• "will: Use 'will' for spontaneous plans made during the conversation. Example: I can't decide what to wear for an interview. I know! I'll wear my white shirt."

• "going to: Employ 'going to' when expressing plans made prior to the moment of speaking. Example: I'm going to receive my employment consultation today."

• The present continuous is introduced for plans that have been prepared, confirmed by at least one person, and where the time and place have been discussed. It is also noted for its use in inquiring about future plans.

• "Present continuous: Use the present continuous when plans have been prepared, confirmed by at least one person, and the time and place of the event have been discussed. Example: We are having an English consultation on Monday."

2.2. Expressing General Future Intentions and Aspirations:

• The materials introduce the structure "verb of intention + infinitive" as a way to express general future plans. Common verbs of intention highlighted include "expect," "hope," "intend," and "plan."

• "To convey that something will happen in the future in a more general sense, we often use verb phrases that indicate intent, coupled with an infinitive. Let's explore some common expressions: expect + an infinitive, hope + an infinitive, intend + an infinitive, plan + an infinitive."

• Concrete examples related to a motorman's career are provided for each verb, such as:

• "I expect to settle down in a city by the sea."

• "I hope to take some private lessons in English."

• "I intend to work on a large ship."

• "I'm not planning to continue working here much longer."

2.3. The Perfect Form of the Infinitive:

• This section focuses on expressing actions that will be completed before a specific point in the future, using the structure "verb of intention + to have + past participle."

• "This nautical grammar magic will help you express actions destined to unfold before specific moments in your promising future career."

• Examples demonstrate its use in the context of career progression:

• "I expect to have gained considerable experience in engine maintenance by the end of my first year at sea."

• "I hope to have familiarized myself with advanced propulsion systems within the next two years."

• "By the end of the upcoming maritime conference, I plan to have acquired certification in the latest engine diagnostics technology."

2.4. Present Perfect in Adverbial Clauses for Future Actions:

• The materials explain the use of the present perfect tense in adverbial clauses (introduced by words like "once," "when," "as soon as," "after") to differentiate between a completed future action and a subsequent action.

• "We’re setting sail into the realm of adverbial clauses. Why, you ask? To chart the waters between completed actions in the future and the ones that will follow."

• Maritime-themed examples illustrate this concept:

• "Once I’ve completed my studies, I’ll get married. Maritime Twist: As soon as I've navigated the treacherous waters of academia, I'll embark on the journey of matrimony."

• "I’m going to appoint a meeting when I’ve finished my report. Maritime Twist: After I've meticulously crafted my report, I'll signal the crew for an important meeting to chart our course forward."

2.5. Future Perfect Tense:

• The future perfect tense ("will + have + past participle") is presented as a tool to describe actions that will be completed before a specific time in the future.

• "This tense... helps us chart actions completed before a specific moment in the future."

• Examples relevant to maritime students include:

• "By next year... you will have mastered the intricate workings of ship engines."

• "By the time November's winds start to whisper, you will have earned a well-deserved promotion."

• A crucial note emphasizes that the future perfect should not be used in adverbial clauses.

• "BE CAREFUL! Don’t use the future perfect in the adverbial clause."

3. Pedagogical Approach:

• Clear Grammatical Explanations: The materials provide concise definitions and explanations of each grammatical structure.

• Contextualized Examples: All examples are tailored to the maritime field, making the learning relevant and engaging for the students. The recurring theme of "motormen" and their career paths provides a relatable context.

• Audio Integration: The inclusion of "[audio-link]" suggests that audio materials accompany the text, likely providing pronunciation examples and further context through dialogues.

• Interactive Exercises: Multiple-choice questions following dialogues and grammatical explanations encourage active learning and comprehension checks.

• Dialogues for Practical Application: The dialogues provide realistic scenarios where students can see and hear the grammatical structures in use. The "Future Plans Exploration Dialogues" and "Aspirations Unveiled" activities specifically focus on practicing the target language.

• Emphasis on Nuance: The materials explicitly encourage careful listening to the nuances of each tense.

• Reflection and Peer Interaction: The activity description for the future perfect tense encourages acting out dialogues, discussing thoughts with peers, and reflecting on personal aspirations.

4. Quotes Illustrating Key Concepts:

• Spontaneous Plans ("will"): "I can't decide what to wear for an interview. I know! I'll wear my white shirt."

• Pre-planned Actions ("going to"): "I'm going to receive my employment consultation today."

• Prepared Plans (Present Continuous): "We are having an English consultation on Monday."

• General Future Intention ("intend + infinitive"): "I intend to settle down in a city by the sea."

• Perfect Infinitive (Future Completion before a point): "By this time next year, I intend to have gotten a good job on a ship."

• Present Perfect in Adverbial Clause (Completed future action): "Once I’ve completed my studies, I’ll get married."

• Future Perfect (Action completed by a future time): "By next year, I will have completed my studies..."

5. Conclusion:

The "Your Riverschool - Мої майбутні плани" materials offer a structured and relevant approach to teaching English grammar for expressing future plans to Ukrainian-speaking maritime students. By focusing on practical application within the maritime context, incorporating audio and interactive elements, and clearly explaining grammatical nuances, these materials are likely to be effective in helping students develop the necessary communication skills for their future careers. The progression through different tenses and structures, building from immediate plans to more complex notions of future completion, provides a logical learning path.

Study Guide: Мої майбутні плани (My Future Plans)

I. Key Grammatical Structures for Future Plans:

• Will:Used for spontaneous decisions made during a conversation.

Example: "I can't decide what to wear. I'll wear my white shirt."

• Going to:Used for plans made prior to the moment of speaking.

Example: "I'm going to sit at the library until 8 o'clock."

• Present Continuous:Used for plans that have been prepared, confirmed by at least one person, and the time and place have been discussed.

Frequently used to inquire about future plans.

Example: "We are having an English consultation on Monday." "Are you preparing the documents for the University?"

• Verb of Intention + Infinitive:Used to express general future plans, intentions, and aspirations. Common verbs of intention include: expect, hope, intend, plan.

Example: "I expect to graduate soon." "I intend to work on a large ship."

• Perfect Form of the Infinitive (to have + past participle):Used to express actions that will or might take place before a specific point in the future. Often used with verbs like expect, hope, intend, plan and with time expressions using "by."

Example: "I hope to have passed all my exams by the beginning of summer." "By this time next year, I intend to have gotten a good job on a ship."

• Present Perfect in Adverbial Clauses (have/has + past participle in the subordinate clause):Used in adverbial clauses (often introduced by once, when, as soon as, after) to indicate a completed action in the future before another future action takes place.

Do not use the future perfect in the adverbial clause.

Example: "Once I've completed my studies, I'll get married." "I'm going shopping when I've finished my report."

• Future Perfect Tense (will + have + past participle):Used to indicate an action that will be completed by a specified time in the future.

• Example: "By next year, I will have completed my studies." "By next November, I will have received my promotion."

II b. Quiz: Discussion questions

IV. Essay Format Questions:

• Discuss the nuances in meaning and usage among "will," "going to," and the present continuous tense when expressing future plans. Provide specific examples to illustrate when each structure is most appropriate.

• Explain the role of "verb of intention + infinitive" in expressing general future plans and aspirations. How do these structures differ from more specific future tenses?

• Analyze the function and importance of the perfect form of the infinitive in conveying the timing of future actions. In what contexts is this grammatical structure particularly useful?

• Describe the use of the present perfect tense in adverbial clauses when discussing future events. Why is it crucial to avoid using the future perfect in these subordinate clauses?

• Compare and contrast the future perfect tense with other future tenses discussed in the material. In what situations is the future perfect the most effective way to communicate about future events?

V. Glossary of Key Terms:

• Spontaneous Plan: A decision made at the moment of speaking, often in reaction to something happening.

• Pre-made Plan: A decision or arrangement made before the current moment of speaking.

• Confirmed Plan: A future arrangement that has been agreed upon by all involved parties.

• Verb of Intention: A verb that expresses a desire, aim, or purpose to do something in the future (e.g., expect, hope, intend, plan).

• Infinitive: The basic form of a verb, usually preceded by "to" (e.g., to go, to learn, to achieve).

• Perfect Form of the Infinitive: A verb form consisting of "to have" followed by the past participle of the main verb (e.g., to have gone, to have learned, to have achieved).

• Adverbial Clause: A dependent clause that functions as an adverb, modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb in the main clause. It often indicates time, place, manner, reason, or condition.

• Present Perfect Tense: A verb tense formed with "have/has" + the past participle, often used to describe actions completed at an unspecified time in the past or actions with present relevance. In this context, it refers to completed actions before another point in the future.

• Future Perfect Tense: A verb tense formed with "will have" + the past participle, used to describe an action that will be completed by a specific time in the future.

• Maritime: Relating to the sea, ships, or navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

#1. What are the primary ways to express future plans in English according to this material?

The primary ways to express future plans discussed are using "will" for spontaneous plans made during conversation, "going to" for pre-made plans established before speaking, and the present continuous for confirmed plans with agreed time and place. Additionally, the material covers expressing general future plans using verb phrases like "expect to + infinitive," "hope to + infinitive," "intend to + infinitive," and "plan to + infinitive."

#2. When should "will" be used to talk about the future?

"Will" should be used when discussing spontaneous plans or decisions that are made at the moment of speaking, often as a direct response to a situation or thought. For example, "I can't decide what to wear... I know! I'll wear my white shirt."

#3. In what situations is "going to" the appropriate structure for future plans?

"Going to" is appropriate when expressing plans that were made prior to the moment of speaking. These are intentions or arrangements that have already been considered. For example, "I'm going to sit at the library until 8 o'clock" implies a prior decision to do so.

#4. How is the present continuous tense used to refer to future events?

The present continuous tense is used for future plans that have been prepared and confirmed by at least one other person, and when the time and place of the event have been discussed and are settled. It is also frequently used to inquire about someone's future plans. For example, "We are having an English consultation on Monday" indicates a scheduled event.

#5. What are some common verb phrases used to express general future intentions and aspirations?

Common verb phrases used to express general future intentions and aspirations include "expect to + infinitive" (e.g., I expect to graduate soon), "hope to + infinitive" (e.g., I hope to take some private lessons in English), "intend to + infinitive" (e.g., I intend to work on a large ship), and "plan to + infinitive" (e.g., My plan is to have rented an apartment in Kyiv). These phrases convey a sense of purpose and anticipation regarding future events.

#6. What is the function of the perfect infinitive (to have + past participle) when discussing future actions?

The perfect infinitive (to have + past participle) is used to express actions that will have been completed or are expected to have been completed before a specific point in the future. It helps to establish a sequence of events in the future, indicating that one action will precede another future moment. For example, "By this time next year, I intend to have gotten a good job on a ship."

#7. How is the present perfect tense used within adverbial clauses to talk about future events?

The present perfect tense (have/has + past participle) is used in adverbial clauses of time (e.g., using conjunctions like "once," "when," "as soon as," "after") to indicate a completed action in the future that will happen before another future action. It helps to differentiate between the completion of one future event and the start of another. For example, "Once I’ve completed my studies, I’ll get married." Note that the future perfect should not be used in the adverbial clause in such constructions.

#8. What is the future perfect tense and when is it used?

The future perfect tense (will + have + past participle) is used to describe an action that will be completed by a specific time in the future. It looks back from a point in the future to an earlier point within that future, indicating that something will have been finished by then. For example, "By next year, I will have completed my studies."

Detailed Pedagogical Timeline of Events:

This source focuses on English language learning for future motormen, specifically concerning how to express future plans and intentions using various grammatical structures. Therefore, it doesn't present a chronological sequence of real-world events but rather introduces and explains different ways to talk about the future, often through examples and dialogues related to the maritime profession.

Here's a breakdown of the concepts and examples discussed, which can be interpreted as a pedagogical timeline within the learning material:

Phase 1: Introduction to Basic Future Tenses

• Concept Introduction: Explanation of "will," "going to," and the present continuous tense for expressing future plans.

• "Will" for spontaneous plans made during conversation (Example: deciding what to wear for an interview, checking notes).

• "Going to" for plans made prior to the moment of speaking (Examples: library visit, employment consultation, job interview).

• Present continuous for prepared and confirmed plans with agreed time and place (Examples: English consultation, exams). Also used for inquiring about future plans (Example: preparing university application documents).

Phase 2: Exploring Future Plans Through Dialogues

• Dialogue 1: Spontaneous Decision Dilemma: Motorman A contemplates starting the job search, and Motorman B advises starting now. This exemplifies a spontaneous decision using "will" implicitly in the advice ("You'll have more options").

• Dialogue 2: Pre-made Employment Fair Plan: Motorman A has already planned to attend an employment fair, using "going to." Motorman B encourages this plan.

Phase 3: Expressing General Future Intentions and Aspirations

• Concept Introduction: Introduction of verb phrases (expect + infinitive, hope + infinitive, intend + infinitive, plan + infinitive) to express general future plans.

• Examples: Aspirations related to settling down, graduating, joining clubs, applying to university, dealing with the coronavirus's impact on plans, taking English lessons, preparing for exams, studying sailing, and working on large ships.

• Dialogue 1: Seaside Aspirations: Motorman A asks about plans after vocational school. Motorman B intends to settle by the sea and work on a ship (using "intend + to").

• Dialogue 2: Navigating Challenges: Motorman A asks about future plans considering the current situation. Motorman B hopes to amend plans due to the coronavirus and plans to take English lessons (using "hope + to" and "planning + to"). Another speaker mentions their dream to graduate and become a sailor (using "is + to + infinitive") and their plan not to continue current work (using "not planning + to + infinitive").

Phase 4: Utilizing the Perfect Form of the Infinitive

• Concept Introduction: Explanation of the perfect infinitive (to have + past participle) to express actions completed before a specific future moment, used with "expect," "hope," "intend," and "plan."

• Examples: Expectations of gaining experience, hopes of familiarizing with systems, intentions of completing training, and plans to participate in overhauls by specific future times.

• Dialogues:Setting Sail for Success: Mike hopes to have completed training by autumn and plans to have started his career by next spring. Mike intends to have secured a position by the end of the year.

• Charting Career Courses: Mike hopes to have signed his contract by the next summer solstice. Alex plans to have started his career by the spring equinox.

Phase 5: Employing the Present Perfect in Adverbial Clauses

• Concept Introduction: Explanation of using the present perfect (have/has + past participle) in adverbial clauses to differentiate between a completed future action and a subsequent one (using time conjunctions like "once," "when," "as soon as," "after").

• Examples: Getting married after completing studies, appointing a meeting after finishing a report.

• Dialogues:Planning the Future: Motorman B suggests starting the job search during training so there's a clearer picture once studies are finished.

• Setting Goals: Motorman B advises exploring specialized roles after gaining some experience as a certified motorman.

Phase 6: Understanding the Future Perfect Tense

• Concept Introduction: Explanation of the future perfect tense (will + have + past participle) to describe actions completed before a specific point in the future.

• Examples: Mastering engines by next year, earning a promotion by November, having acquired English skills by the end of a summer in London, having perfected English upon returning from the UK, having taken twenty tests by the course's end.

• Dialogues:Conversation on Skill Development: Motorman B states that by next year, he will have mastered ship engines.

• Dialogue on Career Growth: Motorman B believes he will have earned a promotion by November. Another point mentions assurance of having honed English skills by the time of returning from the UK.

Phase 7: Review and Further Practice

• Exercises: Multiple-choice questions reinforcing the usage of the different future structures in general plans, actions before a future time, distinguishing completed and subsequent actions, and actions completed by a specific future time. Includes a reminder not to use the future perfect in adverbial clauses and gap-fill exercises using different future tenses and structures in maritime-related contexts.

Cast of Characters:

• Motorman A: A recurring character in the dialogues, often initiating conversations about future plans, career aspirations, and challenges in the maritime industry. Their specific intentions and plans vary across the different dialogues, serving as a prompt for the other motorman's responses and examples of future tense usage.

• Motorman B: Another recurring character who provides advice, shares their own future plans, and demonstrates the use of various future tenses and grammatical structures in response to Motorman A. Similar to Motorman A, their specific plans change depending on the dialogue's focus.

• Motorman Mike: Appears specifically in the dialogues focusing on the perfect infinitive ("Setting Sail for Success" and "Charting Career Courses"). He discusses his hopes and plans regarding vocational training and career progression in the maritime industry, including specific timeframes.

• Motorman Alex: Also appears in the dialogues about the perfect infinitive, engaging with Motorman Mike to discuss their respective future career plans and timelines in the maritime field.

These characters are primarily linguistic tools used to illustrate the practical application of different grammatical structures for discussing future plans within the context of maritime professionals. They do not have detailed backstories or personalities beyond their role in the example dialogues.