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Is spring going to come early? Will vs going to for predictions and plans

An A2 ESL lesson plan on will vs going to for plans, predictions and quick decisions, set on Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Grammar
Going to for plans made before now and predictions you can see coming (It's going to snow.), will for quick decisions, offers and opinions (I'll get it! I think spring will come early.).
Topic
Groundhog Day on February 2 in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where by tradition a groundhog's shadow means six more weeks of winter, with words such as forecast, shiver, burrow and dawn.
Activities
Nora's post to read, a viewer's message and a dawn dialogue to hear, drills that check themselves, Maya's chat and open boxes.

What's inside

  1. Chapter 1Wake up, Phil!

    • PictureUnlock
    • Spin the wheel and answerSpin the wheelUnlock
    • Study the words: Groundhog DayVocabularyTry it
    • Look at the pictures and chooseChoose by pictureUnlock

  2. Chapter 2Let's read: Phil's big day

    • Look at the photo: Gobbler's KnobPictureUnlock
    • Read Nora's postReal-life documentTry it
    • Read and mark true or falseTrue or falseUnlock
    • Read again and choose the correct answerQuizUnlock

  3. Chapter 3Let's listen: shadow or no shadow?

    • Listen to the Viewer's QuestionListeningTry it
    • Transcript, for the teacherUnlock
    • Listen and mark true or falseTrue or falseUnlock
    • Listen to Marco and ClaireListeningUnlock
    • Transcript, for the teacherUnlock
    • Listen and choose the correct answerQuizUnlock

  4. Chapter 4Grammar: I'll… or I'm going to…?

    • Study the scheme: will or going to?Grammar schemeTry it
    • Choose the correct optionChoose the optionUnlock
    • Fill in the gaps: will or going to + verbFill in the gapsTry it
    • Fill in the table: going to and won'tFill in the tableUnlock
    • Choose the correct answer: what do you say?QuizUnlock

  5. Chapter 5Let's talk: plans and predictions

    • Choose the right replies: plans and predictionsChatTry it
    • Open a box and answer: plans and predictionsOpen the boxUnlock

  6. Chapter 6Homework

    • Match the words and the meaningsMatchUnlock
    • Unscramble the wordsAnagramUnlock
    • Fill in the gaps with the words from the lessonFill in the gapsUnlock
    • Choose the correct optionChoose the optionUnlock
    • Fill in the gaps: short answersFill in the gapsUnlock
    • Put the words in the correct orderUnjumbleUnlock
    • Sort the sentences: why going to? why will?Sort into columnsUnlock
    • Choose the correct option: Nora's postChoose the optionUnlock
    • Drag the words into the gaps: Nora's message to JonDrag and dropUnlock

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Vocabulary

10 words and phrases from the lesson, each with a picture and audio in edio.

+7 more with pictures and audio in the lessonMore words

  • groundhog
  • burrow
  • tuxedo
  • scroll
  • cane
  • hot chocolate
  • dawn

Grammar: will vs going to for the future

Among the future tenses in English, will and going to are easy to confuse, because both can make predictions. At dawn on Groundhog Day, learners choose the form by when the decision was made, before now or right now, and by what a prediction rests on: what they can see, or what they think.

I'll get it! It's going to snow!

going to: a plan, or something you can see coming. will: a quick decision, an offer, or what you think.

A plan from before or a decision right now?

If you decided before now, use going to: We bought the tickets last week. We're going to visit Phil. If you decide as you speak, use will: The phone's ringing. I'll get it! Offers take will, too: You're cold! I'll get you a hot chocolate.

will or going to?

FormWhen?Example
going toa plan: you decided before nowWe're going to watch Phil tomorrow.
going toa prediction: you can see it comingLook at those clouds! It's going to snow.
willa quick decision: you decide right nowThe phone's ringing. I'll get it!
willan offer: you want to helpYou're cold! I'll get you a hot chocolate.
willa prediction: what you thinkI think spring will come early.

Before now or right now?

Did you decide before now? Use going to: We bought the tickets last week. We're going to visit Phil. Do you decide right now? Use will: The phone's ringing. I'll get it! (not: I'm going to get it)

At Gobbler's Knob

  • We're going to see Phil at dawn tomorrow.
  • Marco's only in a thin jacket. He's going to shiver!
  • Brrr! I'll get some hot chocolate.
  • Biscuit is pulling! Don't worry, I'll hold his leash.
  • I think Phil will forecast an early spring.
  • Will Phil see his shadow? – Yes, he will!

Predictions: can you see it, or do you think it?

Evidence you can see takes going to: Look at those dark clouds! It's going to snow. An opinion usually takes will, often after I think, I'm sure or maybe: I think Phil will be right. In questions, both are often fine: Will spring come early?

Can you see it, or do you think it?

You can see it coming: use going to. Look at those dark clouds! It's going to snow. (not usually: It will snow) It's your opinion: we usually use will, often after I think, I'm sure or maybe. I think Phil will be right. In questions, both are often fine: Is spring going to come early? Will spring come early?

Going to and will for every person

Going to changes with the person, because it needs am, is or are: I'm going to watch, she's going to watch, they're going to watch. Will stays the same for everyone and shortens to 'll: I'll watch, he'll watch, it'll snow.

Whogoing to + verbwill + verb
II'm going to watch. (= I am going to)I'll watch. (= I will)
youYou're going to watch.You'll watch.
heHe's going to watch.He'll watch.
sheShe's going to watch.She'll watch.
itIt's going to snow.It'll snow.
weWe're going to watch.We'll watch.
theyThey're going to watch.They'll watch.

Won't, questions and short answers

Negatives: I'm not going to watch, He isn't going to watch, I won't watch (won't = will not). Questions put the helper first, and short answers repeat that helper: Are you going to watch Phil? Yes, I am. Will Phil see his shadow? No, he won't.

Typegoing towill
NoI'm not going to watch. He isn't going to watch. They aren't going to watch.I won't watch. He won't watch. (won't = will not)
QuestionAre you going to watch Phil?Will Phil see his shadow?
Short answerYes, I am. / No, I'm not.Yes, he will. / No, he won't.

Will to, going watch and other slips

Will never takes to, so it's I'll watch Phil, not I will to watch. Going to can't lose its to (We're going watch), and the two never mix: I'll going to get is wrong. When the phone rings, say I'll answer it.

  • I will to watch Phil.

    I'll watch Phil.

    will + verb, no to

  • We're going watch Phil.

    We're going to watch Phil.

    going to + verb: don't forget to

  • I'll going to get the hot chocolate.

    I'll get the hot chocolate.

    one form only: will or going to

  • (The phone rings.) I'm going to answer it.

    I'll answer it.

    a quick decision right now: will

More lessons on this grammar: Future tenses lessons and exercises

Try the will and going to exercises

Try them yourself: these are the same exercises your students do in edio.

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What's in the lesson

  • 17 auto-checked exercises
  • 4 games
  • 1 real-life document
  • 1 grammar scheme
  • 1 set of word cards
  • 2 audio clips
  • 2 pictures
  • 2 transcripts

The main objectives of this lesson are to:

  • talk about plans made before now with going to: We're going to watch Phil at dawn tomorrow.
  • predict from what they can see: Look at that clear sky! He's going to see his shadow.
  • make quick decisions and offers with will: Brrr! I'll get some hot chocolate. I'll hold his leash.
  • give an opinion with I think … will, and use won't, questions and short answers: Will Phil see his shadow? Yes, he will.

Lesson 30 is the second lesson of Traditions we love, unit 8 of English A2.2 · Curious Minds. It sets going to for plans and predictions, taught in A2.1 lesson 18, against will for predictions and decisions, taught in A2.2 lesson 13, and gives students a test for choosing between them. On Groundhog Day, everyone has a prediction to make, from the sky at dawn to the groundhog's shadow.

The warm-up wheel asks about winter, the weather forecast and early mornings, and ten word cards follow, from forecast and shiver to tuxedo and cane, each with a picture and audio. Students read Nora's post from the day before, with the shadow rule and the Inner Circle in top hats, then hear a viewer ask Is spring going to come early this year? and Marco meet a local woman at dawn (an AI-voiced dialogue). The scheme comes before four drills that check themselves, including a table of going to and won't for every person. For speaking, Maya messages students the night before, and open boxes ask for plans, offers and guesses.

Homework is self-checking from start to finish: two word games and a word gap-fill, a choice of forms, short answers to type, word order, a sort of sentences by the reason for will or going to, Nora's post after the ceremony, with forms to choose, and her message to the viewer, with words to drag in.

Grammar:
will vs going to · going to for plans · going to for predictions you can see · will for quick decisions and offers · I think … will
Topic:
Groundhog Day · Punxsutawney Phil · Pennsylvania · February 2 · weather · Curious Minds

Teaching tips

  • Ring a phone or knock on the door at random moments: the first student to call out I'll get it! scores a point, and I'm going to get it scores nothing.
  • Show a weather photo, then a calendar: for the photo, students predict with going to (It's going to rain.); for next month, with I think … will (I think it will be warm.).
  • Take a class vote before the dialogue: shadow or no shadow? Each student predicts with I think he'll…, then listens for the local woman's prediction from the clear sky.
  • Ask about real weekend plans, then interrupt with a problem (Oh no, I forgot my scarf!), so students switch from I'm going to… to an offer: I'll lend you mine.

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The whole course: English A2.2 · Curious Minds

32 lessons that pick up where English A2.1 ends, in simple American English, from the present perfect to used to, have to and relative clauses. Eight units cover nature, tech at home, heroes, healthy habits, fashion, school, animals and traditions. Pictures and definitions replace translations, and the practice exercises check themselves.See the course

  1. Unit 1 Wonders of nature

    the present perfect with ever and never, been to, superlatives with I've ever, articles with place names

    1. Lesson 1Have you ever seen the sky dance?The present perfect for experiences
    2. Lesson 2Have you been to the Grand Canyon?Present perfect vs past simple
    3. Lesson 3The longest cave in the worldSuperlatives with the present perfect
    4. Lesson 4The first national parkArticles with place names

  2. Unit 2 Clever tech at home

    the present perfect with just, already and yet, phrasal verbs, subject and object questions

    1. Lesson 5The chocolate bar that meltedThe present perfect with just
    2. Lesson 6Has my lunch arrived yet?Already and yet with the present perfect
    3. Lesson 7Turn it on, turn it offPhrasal verbs with it and them
    4. Lesson 8The girl who tests waterSubject and object questions

  3. Unit 3 Everyday heroes

    the past continuous, when and while, adjective order, story linkers

    1. Lesson 9When the pager beepsThe past continuous with was and were
    2. Lesson 10The man who planted apple treesPast continuous and past simple with when and while
    3. Lesson 11What's in the lost and found?The order of adjectives
    4. Lesson 12The dogs who saved NomeStory linkers

  4. Unit 4 Healthy and happy habits

    will for predictions, the zero and first conditionals, so do I and neither do I

    1. Lesson 13Why does school start later in California?Will and won't for predictions, decisions and offers
    2. Lesson 14Brain freeze!The zero conditional for facts
    3. Lesson 15Doctor's orders: go to the park!The first conditional with if and will
    4. Lesson 16Walking in the mall at 7 a.m.Agreeing with So do I and Neither do I

  5. Unit 5 Style through time

    used to, didn't use to, made of and made from, still and not anymore

    1. Lesson 17Why did everyone use to wear a hat?Used to for past habits and states
    2. Lesson 18Jeans used to be work clothesUsed to in negatives and questions
    3. Lesson 19Quilts made from old clothesMade of, made from and made by
    4. Lesson 20Cowboy boots, still made by handStill, not anymore and no longer

  6. Unit 6 School in America

    have to, must and mustn't, be allowed to, had to

    1. Lesson 21Do you have to wear a uniform?Have to and don't have to for rules
    2. Lesson 22Stop for the yellow bus!Must, mustn't and don't have to
    3. Lesson 23A class trip to the SmithsonianBe allowed to and can for permission
    4. Lesson 24One room, one teacher, every gradeHad to and didn't have to for past duties

  7. Unit 7 Amazing animals

    relative clauses with which, that, who and where, look and sound + adjective, adjectives with prepositions

    1. Lesson 25The bird that copies car alarmsRelative clauses with which and that
    2. Lesson 26Alligators and crocodiles togetherWho, which, that and where in relative clauses
    3. Lesson 27Sailors thought it was a mermaidLook, sound and feel as linking verbs
    4. Lesson 28Beagles at the airportAdjectives with prepositions

  8. Unit 8 Traditions we love

    invitations, will vs going to, so and such, one and ones

    1. Lesson 29Come to our cookout!Making, accepting and refusing invitations
    2. Lesson 30 · you're hereIs spring going to come early?Will vs going to for the future
    3. Lesson 31From turnips to pumpkinsSo and such for emphasis
    4. Lesson 32Giant balloons over ManhattanOne and ones in place of a noun

Questions about this lesson

What are the future tenses in English?
The main future tenses in English are will, be going to and the present continuous. Will is for quick decisions, offers and opinions (I think it will snow.), going to for plans and for predictions from what you see (Look at those clouds! It's going to snow.), and the present continuous for fixed arrangements (I'm meeting Sam at six.). Higher levels add the future continuous and the future perfect.
What's the difference between will and going to?
The main difference is when you decide: before now or right now. A plan made earlier takes going to: We bought tickets last week. We're going to visit Pennsylvania. A decision or offer made while you speak takes will: The phone's ringing. I'll get it! Your bag looks heavy. I'll carry it. The A2 lesson Is spring going to come early? on edio.ai builds its drills on this test.
Do you use will or going to for plans?
For plans, use going to when you decided before speaking: I'm going to visit my cousins this weekend. We have the train tickets. Use will when you decide in the moment: It's cold in here. I'll close the window. Both take the base verb, with no -s: She's going to film it. She'll film it. In edio.ai's Is spring going to come early?, a chat with Maya asks about weekend plans this way.
Is it going to or will for predictions?
Both make predictions, but going to fits when you can see it coming: Look at those dark clouds! It's going to snow. Careful, the floor is wet! You're going to fall! For an opinion, will is usual, often after I think, I'm sure or maybe: I think spring will come early. Maybe it will snow on the weekend. In questions, both are often fine.
Is it "I will go" or "I will to go"?
It's I will go, with no to after will: I'll watch Phil. She'll carry it. Going to is the opposite, since it can't lose its to: We're going to watch, not We're going watch. Don't put the two together either: I'll going to get it is wrong. A quiz in Is spring going to come early?, an A2 lesson on edio.ai, offers I'll to carry it as a trap.
Is it "I'll get it" or "I'm going to get it"?
When the phone rings or someone knocks, say I'll get it!, since you decide on the spot. I'm going to get it sounds like a plan made earlier, so it doesn't fit a sudden ring. Will is the usual choice for quick offers too: Your bag looks heavy. I'll carry it. With a plan from before, going to is right: I'm going to buy the tickets tomorrow.
How do you predict the weather in English?
Use going to for weather you can see coming: Look at that clear sky! It's going to be sunny. Look at those dark clouds! It's going to snow. For a guess about next week, use will after I think or maybe: I think it will be warm. A weather app or a TV presenter forecasts the weather, and what they say is the forecast.
How do I teach will and going to to A2 students?
Give students two test questions: did you decide before now or right now, and can you see it coming or is it your opinion? Practice going to for plans and evidence first, then will for decisions, offers and opinions, then mix them, with a clue in every sentence (Look!, last week, The phone's ringing.). Is spring going to come early? on edio.ai moves from a post and two listenings to the scheme and drills.
What's a good game for practicing will and going to?
An open-the-box game of plans, offers and guesses works well. One box asks What are you going to do this weekend?, another says Your friend is shivering. Make an offer: I'll…, and another wants a prediction about life in ten years: I think I'll… Whoever opens a box answers aloud, and the class decides whether the form fits the reason.
How do you practice will and going to one-to-one?
Mix plans, predictions and offers in real talk: ask about the student's weekend (What are you going to do?), then about the sky outside, then drop a pen so the student offers help: I'll get it! For practice alone, the chat in the A2 lesson Is spring going to come early? on edio.ai has Maya ask about plans and predictions, and Yes, I am! beats Yes, I do!
What's good homework for practicing will and going to?
Good homework asks students to say why each form fits: a plan from before, something they can see, a decision now or an opinion. Sorting sentences under those four reasons does that, and so do short answers (Will Phil see his shadow? Yes, he will.) and word order. All nine homework tasks in Is spring going to come early?, an A2 lesson on edio.ai, check themselves.
Are there interactive exercises for will and going to?
Yes: self-marking gap-fills and chats show at once whether will or going to fits. On this page, four parts of the A2 lesson Is spring going to come early? on edio.ai play without an account: Nora's post about Groundhog Day, a viewer's voice message asking about spring, a gap-fill of will or going to + verb, and a chat with Maya about plans and predictions. The rest of the lesson is locked.
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