Education
Senior 2 · English
Education
Lesson 2 of 4
25 min
Adults ask young people this question all the time, and "I don't know yet" is an honest answer. But even if you are not sure, you can learn the language of plans and ambitions, and you can start taking small steps now. In this lesson you will listen to four students talk about their futures, and learn four structures for talking about plans: would like to, verb + to-infinitive, when-clauses with will and (in order) to.
An original interview written by Ganzaa. Ask someone to read it aloud, or record yourself reading it. While you listen, copy and complete the table below.
Our school magazine asked four S2 students about their plans.
Keza, Rubavu: "I'd like to become a civil engineer. Every rainy season, the roads near my home are damaged, and I want to build roads and bridges that last. When I finish S3, I'll choose a combination with Mathematics and Physics. This term I've joined the science club in order to practise building models."
Habimana, Nyagatare: "I don't want to go to university straight away. I hope to study at a technical secondary school, because I love repairing things. When I get my certificate, I'll open a small workshop to repair solar panels and phones. Lots of farmers in my area use solar power, so I expect to find plenty of customers."
Umutoni, Huye: "I'd like to be a teacher, like my aunt. I've decided to apply to a teacher training college after S3. My English isn't perfect yet, so I have to work on it. I read one storybook every week to build my vocabulary."
Niyonzima, Kigali: "Honestly, I haven't decided yet, and my parents say that's fine. I plan to try as many clubs as possible this year in order to discover what I'm good at. When I know, I'll make a plan."
| Name | Dream | Next step | Reason / purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keza | civil engineer | combination with Maths and Physics | to build roads and bridges that last |
| Habimana | own a repair workshop | technical secondary school | farmers use solar power |
| Umutoni | teacher | teacher training college | to follow her aunt |
| Niyonzima | not decided | try many clubs | to discover what he is good at |
Use it to say politely what you want: I'd like to become a civil engineer. What would you like to do after S6?
Don't confuse it with like + -ing, which is about enjoyment in general: I like reading (I enjoy it) vs I'd like to read that book (I want to).
Many verbs about plans and wishes are followed by to + base verb: want, hope, plan, decide, expect, need, promise, choose, agree, refuse, learn.
I hope to study at a technical school. I've decided to apply to a TTC. I plan to try many clubs. Not I hope studying.
Look: When I finish S3, I'll choose a combination. The sentence is about the future, but the verb after when is in the present simple. Only the main clause takes will.
The same rule applies after as soon as, before, after, until and if. Put a comma when the when-clause comes first; no comma when it comes second: I'll make a plan when I know.
To give the purpose of an action, use to or, more formally, in order to + base verb:
I read one storybook every week (in order) to build my vocabulary.
Keza joined the science club in order to practise building models.
Negative: in order not to or so as not to: I study every evening so as not to fall behind. Never write for to build or for build.
Notes: want: nurse / after S6: study nursing / purpose: help mothers and babies in my village
→ I'd like to become a nurse. When I finish S6, I'll study nursing in order to help mothers and babies in my village. I hope to work at the health centre near my home.
Tip
No WILL after WHEN. When I finish (present), I will start (future).
Why? → to. Ask "why?" about an action; the answer starts with to or in order to, never for to.
Correct the mistake: When I will finish S3, I will choose PCB.
Solution: When I finish S3, I will choose PCB. No will in the when-clause.
Complete: Habimana hopes ___ (open) a workshop.
Solution: hopes to open. Hope is followed by the to-infinitive.
Join with in order to: Umutoni reads every week. She wants to build her vocabulary.
Solution: Umutoni reads every week in order to build her vocabulary.
Like or would like? I ___ swimming; I go every weekend. I ___ to visit Nyungwe one day.
Solution: I like swimming (enjoyment, in general); I would like to visit Nyungwe (a wish).
Ask a friend or family member these questions and answer them yourself: What would you like to do after school? What will you do when you finish S3? What are you doing now in order to get there? Answer in full sentences using all four structures.
Model answer: I'd like to become a software developer. When I finish S3, I'll choose a combination with Mathematics and Computer Science, if my results are good enough. I plan to learn some programming during the holidays. At the moment, I spend an hour in the school computer room every Friday in order to practise.
Remember
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