Contextualization

The future has always been a topic that arouses interest and curiosity, after all, who has never wanted to predict what will happen? Although we still don't have a crystal ball for that, we have a very useful tool to discuss and express our expectations, plans, and predictions about the time to come: language. In English, the main ways to talk about the future are the use of 'going to' and 'will'.

'Going to' and 'will' are verb forms used to express the future tense in English, each with its particularities and subtle differences in usage, which can completely change the meaning of a sentence. Understanding these nuances is essential for effective communication in English, making the study of these structures essential.

What are 'Going to' and 'Will'?

'Going to' is used when we have an intention to do something, a plan that has already been decided before the moment of speaking. It is also used to make predictions based on current evidence. For example, if the sky is cloudy, you could say 'It's going to rain', expressing a prediction based on present evidence.

On the other hand, 'will' is used for spontaneous decisions, which are made at the moment of speaking. It is also used to make general predictions about the future, without the need for present evidence. For example, you could say 'I think it will rain later', which is a prediction not based on current evidence.

The Role of the English Language in the Globalized World

The English language plays a fundamental role in global communication, with English considered the lingua franca. This means that English is the most widely used language for international communication, in contexts such as business, science, technology, travel, entertainment, among others. Therefore, mastering the correct use of verb tenses in English, including the future with 'going to' and 'will', is a skill that can open many doors and opportunities.

To deepen your knowledge on the topic, I suggest the following resources:

1. 200-hour English: Future with going to
2. Cambridge Dictionary: Will and Be Going To
3. Oxford Languages: Differences between Will and Going To

These resources are reliable and will help you better understand the difference between these two verb tenses. Understanding the correct use of 'going to' and 'will' will allow you to communicate effectively in English about your intentions, plans, and predictions for the future.

Practical Activity: 'Planning for the Future'

Project Objective

The 'Planning for the Future' project aims to allow students to explore, understand, and apply the use of 'going to' and 'will' in the context of future planning. In addition, the activity will assist in the development of socio-emotional skills such as time management, teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity.

Project Description

Groups will create a video presentation, up to 10 minutes long, where each group member will inform the audience about a future plan (using 'going to') and a spontaneous decision about the future (using 'will'). The recording should be creative and engaging, such as a short play, an interview, a documentary, among other possibilities.

Necessary Materials

• Internet access
• Computer
• Camera for video recording (can be a smartphone)
• Video editing software (Windows Movie Maker, iMovie, etc.)
• Material for set/costume (if necessary)

Step by Step

1. Research and Study (1-2 hours): Use the suggested resources and do additional research to understand more deeply the use of 'going to' and 'will'.

2. Planning (2-3 hours): Have a brainstorming session with your group and decide on the format of your video. Each group member should choose a future plan and a future decision to be presented in the video.

3. Scriptwriting (2 hours): Write the script for your video, ensuring that the use of 'going to' and 'will' is correctly applied.

4. Recording (1-2 hours): Record the video according to the script. Don't forget to check the quality of the audio and video.

5. Editing (2-3 hours): Edit the video to make it more attractive and professional. Include titles, transitions, and, if necessary, background music.

6. Review and Improvement (1-2 hours): Watch the video as a group and make final adjustments, if necessary.

7. Report Preparation (up to 5 hours): Prepare a detailed report of the project, describing the work process, the decisions made, the difficulties encountered, and, of course, a detailed linguistic analysis of the use of 'going to' and 'will' in your script.

Project Delivery

The project will consist of two main deliveries:

1. Video: The final video must be presented to the entire class on a predetermined date.

2. Written Report: Upon completing the video, each group must prepare a report as a follow-up document. The report should cover the following topics:

   • Introduction: Briefly describe the project's objective, the relevance of correctly using 'going to' and 'will' in English communication, and the approach the group used to demonstrate these concepts.

   • Development: Discuss the theory behind the use of 'going to' and 'will', explaining the difference between them and how they were applied in the video. Describe the process of creating and editing the video and the challenges faced as a group.

   • Conclusion: Summarize the main points of the project, highlight the group's learnings, and the understanding gained about the use of 'going to' and 'will'.

   • Bibliography: List all sources used for research and project development.

This way, students will be able to express their understandings of the topic, as well as reflect on teamwork, challenges, and solutions found.