Step 24: Plans and Promises
The future — Going to vs will
📖 Read — Jack's Big Plans
Jack is sixteen, and he has big plans. “I'm going to study computers at college,” he says. “I'm going to work hard and learn every day. One day, I'm going to build apps that help people.”
His mother smiles. “Will you forget your old friends?” Jack laughs. “No, Mom. I promise I will call you every week. And I'll visit you every summer!” His little sister asks, “Will you buy me a bike?” Jack says, “Okay, I'll buy you a bike when I get my first job!”
🧩 Grammar — Going to (Plans) vs Will (Promises & Quick Decisions)
Use going to for plans you already decided: I'm going to study computers. Use will for promises, offers, and decisions you make right now: I promise I'll call. — The phone is ringing! I'll get it!
- I'm going to study computers at college.
- I promise I'll call you every week.
- Watch out! You're going to drop your phone!
- — I'm cold. — I'll close the window.
🏗️ Key structures
- I'm going to ___ — I'm going to learn English this year.
- I promise I'll ___ — I promise I'll help you tomorrow.
- I think I'll ___ — I think I'll take the bus today.
⭐ Idiom & natural phrases
Working in New York is a dream come true for Jack.
🔤 New words
something you decide to do in the future
My plan is to study computers.
say you will really do something
I promise I'll be on time.
the time after now
What do you want in the future?
choose after thinking
We decided to move to Denver.
want something good to happen
I hope you visit us soon.
a school you go to after high school
She's going to college in Boston.
make something (a house, an app)
He wants to build apps.
not remember
Don't forget your keys!
🎧 Say it with me
I’m going to study hard, and I promise I’ll practice English every day.
🎤 Your turn to speak
Say two plans with going to (this week, this year) and one promise with I'll. Example: I'm going to… I promise I'll…
Say it out loud three times. Even better: record it on your phone and listen — your ear is your best teacher.
✍️ Your turn to write
Write 4 sentences: two plans with going to, and two promises with will.
See a model answer
I'm going to study computers at college. I'm going to visit Seattle next summer. I promise I'll call my grandmother every week. And I'll help my little brother with his homework.
Self-check: capital letters? Full stops? Did you use the grammar of this step?
📝 Quick check
Go deeper
This step is a doorway — the full lesson goes much further:
🎉 Saved in your progress!