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Learning Objectives

2 minutes reading
✓
Use "going to" for intentions and plans
✓
Use Present Continuous for fixed arrangements
✓
Distinguish between plans, intentions, and scheduled events
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Communicate effectively about future work activities
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Key for this lesson

Going to = personal intention/plan decided before. Present Continuous = fixed arrangement with others (time/place confirmed). Ask: "Is it in my calendar with others?" If yes, use Present Continuous.

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Grammar Explanation

4 minutes reading
Going to

Intentions & Plans

Subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb

Use for: Personal intentions, plans decided before speaking, predictions based on evidence

I've decided I'm planning next week soon
Present Continuous

Fixed Arrangements

Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing

Use for: Scheduled appointments, confirmed meetings, arrangements with other people

on Monday at 3pm tomorrow this afternoon
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The Calendar Test

Present Continuous = in the calendar with time/place/people. "I'm meeting the client at 2pm." Going to = intention but not confirmed. "I'm going to call the client this week."

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Context & Professional Usage

5 minutes reading

Going to (Intentions)

📋Project plans: "I'm going to launch a pilot next month."
🎯Goals: "We're going to expand into new markets."
💡Ideas: "I'm going to propose a new approach."
📈Predictions: "Sales are going to increase."

Present Continuous (Arrangements)

📅Meetings: "I'm meeting the client on Tuesday at 10am."
✈️Travel: "She's flying to Berlin tomorrow."
🤝Appointments: "We're having lunch with the investors."
📞Calls: "I'm calling HR at 3pm."
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Business English Examples

6 minutes reading
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Correct Professional Usage

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"I'm going to review the budget this week." (intention)

Personal plan, not scheduled yet

✓
"We're meeting the suppliers on Friday at 2pm." (arrangement)

Fixed appointment in calendar

✓
"She's presenting the Q3 results tomorrow morning."

Scheduled presentation

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"They're going to restructure the department."

Decided intention, details not fixed

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Common Business Mistakes

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"I will meet the client at 3pm tomorrow." (scheduled)

Use: "I'm meeting the client..." (fixed arrangement)

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"I'm having a career change." (intention)

Use: "I'm going to have a career change." (not fixed yet)

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"I go to the conference next week."

Use: "I'm going to the conference..." (arrangement)

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Professional Listening Exercise

6 minutes

Listen to Sophie discussing her schedule and plans for next week:

🎵Audio: Weekly Planning Meeting
Ready
0:00 / 0:00
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Speed:

Sophie (Marketing Director):

"Let me walk you through my plans for next week. On Monday, I'm meeting with the creative team at 9am to review the new campaign materials. That's confirmed in everyone's calendar.

On Tuesday, I'm flying to Paris for the product launch. My flight leaves at 7:30am and I'm having dinner with the French distributors that evening - the restaurant is already booked.

I'm going to analyze the market research data when I get back on Wednesday. I haven't scheduled specific time yet, but it's a priority.

Thursday is our monthly board meeting - I'm presenting the Q2 marketing results at 2pm. I'm going to prepare the slides on Wednesday afternoon.

On Friday, I'm going to catch up on emails and start planning the autumn campaign. I don't have any fixed meetings that day, so it's flexible.

Also, I'm going to propose a new social media strategy to the executive team sometime this month. I need to find the right time for that discussion."

Question 1: What is Sophie doing on Monday at 9am?

💡 Hint: Listen for "On Monday, I'm meeting..."

Question 2: Which activity is an intention (not a fixed arrangement)?

💡 Hint: Listen for "I'm going to..." with "haven't scheduled"

Question 3: Complete: "I'm _______ the Q2 marketing results at 2pm."

💡 Hint: This is a fixed arrangement - use Present Continuous
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Quick Comprehension Quiz

4 minutes

Choose the correct form for each situation:

1

Calendar shows: "Meeting with investors, 3pm, Conference Room B"

AI'm meeting the investors at 3pm.
BI'm going to meet the investors at 3pm.
2

You've decided to learn Python, but haven't enrolled in a course yet:

AI'm learning Python.
BI'm going to learn Python.
3

You have a confirmed flight ticket for tomorrow morning:

AI'm flying to London tomorrow.
BI'm going to fly to London tomorrow.
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Professional Practice Exercises

7 minutes

Exercise A: Choose "going to" or Present Continuous

1.

I _______ (have) lunch with the CEO tomorrow at 1pm. (confirmed in calendar)

💡 Hint: Confirmed appointment = Present Continuous
2.

We _______ (hire) more staff next year. (decision made, no dates yet)

💡 Hint: Intention without fixed details = going to
3.

She _______ (present) the strategy at 10am on Monday. (meeting scheduled)

💡 Hint: Specific time scheduled = Present Continuous
4.

I _______ (improve) my Excel skills. (personal goal)

💡 Hint: Personal intention = going to
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Speaking Preparation

4 minutes
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Preparation for Class

Practice distinguishing between intentions and fixed arrangements.

📅 Task 1: Your Schedule (Controlled - 1 min)

Describe your real schedule using Present Continuous:

  • "Tomorrow I'm meeting... at..."
  • "On [day], I'm having..."
  • "This week I'm attending..."
🎯 Task 2: Your Goals (Guided - 2 min)

Describe your intentions using "going to":

  • "I'm going to improve my... this year."
  • "Our team is going to..."
  • "I'm going to start..."
🔄 Task 3: Discussion (Free - 1 min)

Discuss your plans for the next month mixing both forms.

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Summary: Plans vs Arrangements

Going to: Intentions, decided plans (not in calendar)
Present Continuous: Fixed arrangements (in calendar with time/place)

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