Teacher Notes
Objectives & Sequence: This lesson is intended to be used as a review of Grammar - Future #1.
The following vocabulary words are used in this activity:
Part One
Listen to people making plans with each other. How do they start the conversation? What questions do they ask?
Conversation #1
A: Hey Carla. What are you doing this Saturday?
B: I’m not sure. I don’t have any plans. Why?
A: Some of us are going to the beach for a picnic. Do you want to come?
B: That sounds great. What time?
A: Probably in the afternoon, and we’ll stay for dinner. Bruno is bringing a barbecue.
B: I’m in. I’ll give you a call on Saturday.
A: Cool.
Conversation #2
A: Okay, well, it was nice talking to you.
B: You too. Let’s get together again soon.
A: Well, are you free on Friday? We could meet for coffee downtown.
B: Sorry, I can’t. I’m busy on Friday.
A: That’s okay. How about Sunday?
B: Yeah, I’m free on Sunday. Give me a ring.
A: Okay, great. I’ll talk to you later.
Conversation #3
A: Are you doing anything tomorrow night?
B: No plans. Why?
A: Do you want to do something?
B: Sure. Any ideas?
A: There’s a concert in the park. Do you want to go?
B: Yeah, that sounds like fun.
A: Great, let’s do that.
Part Two
How to Make Plans
When we want to make plans with someone, we usually start with a question. Here are some common questions we ask. The question is usually about a time or day:
- What are you doing on Thursday?
- Are you free/busy on Friday?
- Are you doing anything on Saturday?
- What are you up to this weekend?
- Do you have any plans tonight?
How to Answer the Question
If you have plans, there are different ways to answer these questions:
- Present Continuous (I’m verb-ing)
- Sorry, I’m busy.
- Sorry, I have plans.
Example #1 Example #2 Example #3
Are you doing anything this weekend?
I’m taking the bus to Seattle with a friend.
Oh, cool. Have fun!
Are you free this Friday?
Sorry, I’m busy that night.
What are you doing tomorrow?
Sorry, I have plans.
If you are free, there are a few different ways to answer the question. Then we often ask a follow-up question:
| Answer | Follow-up Question |
|---|---|
| I’m free. | Why? |
| No, I don’t have any plans. | What’s going on? |
| No plans. | You? |
Example #1 Example #2 Example #3
What are you doing on Saturday?
No plans. Why?
What are you up to this weekend?
I’m not sure. I don’t have any plans. You?
Are you free next Thursday?
Sure, I’m free. What’s going on?
Suggesting the Plan
To make a plan, you can use what you learned in Unit 6 to suggest an idea. There are also other questions you can ask:
- Do you want to do something?
- Do you want to get together?
- Do you want to (verb)?
There are different ways to answer these suggestions:
- Sure!
- Sounds good.
- That would be great!
Example #1 Example #2 Example #3
What are you doing on Saturday?
No plans. Why?
Do you want to get together?
Sure!
What are you up to this weekend?
I’m not sure. I don’t have any plans. You?
There’s a concert on Friday. Do you want to go?
Yeah, that would be great!
Are you free next Thursday?
Sure, I’m free. What’s going on?
Do you want to do something?
Sounds good.
Changing the Plan
Sometimes you want to suggest a different time or activity. The most common way to do this is with "how about":
Are you free this Friday?
I'm sorry, I’m busy that night. How about Saturday?
What are you doing tomorrow?
Sorry, I have plans.
That’s okay. How about Sunday?
Yeah, I’m free on Sunday!
Part Three
Open your Google Calendar. Make a Calendar. Talk to the other students in the class and try to make plans with 5 people for 5 different nights in the next week or two. Try to make plans for different activities. Make sure you ask what time. When you are finished, tell the class what plans you have for the week.