Speaking Boost · B1 · Lesson 46 of 50
Speaking Boost B1 · Block 10: The Future and Final Review

Does writing down your goals really work?

The most famous goals study never actually happened, but real research shows what does work. Set specific goals, make "if-then" plans, and become someone's accountability partner.

1

Warm-up

5 min
1.1

Plans

Answer and give a real example for each one.

  1. What are your plans for this weekend?
  2. What is one goal you have for this year?
  3. Where do you see yourself in five years?
  4. Do you write your goals down?
  5. What are you looking forward to most this year?
  6. What is a goal you achieved that you're proud of?
2

Words and phrases

10 min
2.1

New words

For each word or phrase, say one true sentence about your goals and plans.

2.2

Which word?

Choose the word or phrase that fits.

  1. My biggest is to write a book.
  2. My for next month is to run 5 km.
  3. If you plan carefully, you'll your goals.
  4. The for the project is Friday.
  5. She's to learn Spanish this year.
  6. I'm really the summer.
  7. I always going to the dentist.
  8. Running a marathon in a month isn't for a beginner.
2.3

Phrasal verbs and phrases

Choose the right answer, then press Check answers.

  1. to delay = to put
  2. to finish what you started = to follow
  3. to record progress = to keep track
  4. to make the right progress = to be on
  5. to feel happy about the future = to look forward
  6. to get better step by step = to make
2.4

Useful phrases

Use each phrase to talk about your real plans.

  • I'm going to...Я збираюся...I'm going to start a new course in September.
  • I'm meeting... on...Я зустрічаюся з ... в...I'm meeting my manager on Monday to talk about it.
  • By the end of the year, I hope to...До кінця року я сподіваюся...By the end of the year, I hope to speak more confidently.
  • My long-term goal is...Моя довгострокова мета —...My long-term goal is to work abroad.
  • The first step is...Перший крок — це...The first step is to find a good teacher.
  • If..., then I'll...Якщо..., то я...If it's Monday morning, then I'll do 20 minutes of English.
  • I've been putting off... for ages.Я вже давно відкладаю...I've been putting off learning to drive for ages.
  • Wish me luck!Побажай мені удачі!I have my interview tomorrow. Wish me luck!
3

Read and react

8 min
3.1

The goals study that never was

Read the article. Hover over the dotted words for help.

Does writing down your goals really work?

You may have heard this story: in 1953, researchers asked Yale (or Harvard) graduates whether they had written goals. Only 3% did. Twenty years later, that 3% were richer than the other 97% combined. It's a great story, often repeated by motivational speakers. There's just one problem: it seems the study never happened. Researchers who looked for it couldn't find any evidence.

So does writing goals help at all? Psychology professor Gail Matthews decided to test it properly. She divided about 150 people into groups. Some just thought about their goals. Others wrote them down. The last group wrote their goals, made a plan of action and sent a weekly progress report to a friend. After four weeks, the last group had achieved significantly more than the people who had only thought about their goals.

Another powerful tool comes from the psychologist Peter Gollwitzer. He found that people are more likely to follow through when they make "if-then" plans, which he called "implementation intentions": not just "I'll exercise more", but "If it's Tuesday at 7 p.m., then I'll go to the swimming pool." Many studies have shown that these simple plans help people act.

So the lesson is: write it down, make it specific, tell someone, and decide exactly when and where you'll act.

And be careful with great stories. Even motivational ones need a fact-check.

3.2

True or false?

  1. The famous 1953 goals study is well documented.
  2. In Gail Matthews' study, the group with weekly reports to a friend achieved more.
  3. Peter Gollwitzer studied "if-then" plans.
  4. An "implementation intention" is a general wish, like "I'll exercise more".
  5. The article suggests telling someone about your goals.
3.3

What do you think?

  1. Have you heard the 1953 story before? Why do you think people love it?
  2. Do you write down your goals? Does it help?
  3. Who could you send weekly progress reports to?
  4. Make one "if-then" plan right now.
4

Grammar for speaking

10 min
4.1

Grammar for speaking

going to

Plans and intentions you have already decided.

I'm going to learn to drive next year.

Present Continuous

Fixed arrangements with a time and place.

I'm meeting my teacher on Thursday at 6.

will

Decisions at the moment of speaking, promises, predictions.

OK, I'll start tomorrow! I'll help you, I promise.

Also: Present Simple for timetables (The course starts on 5 September.), hope to / plan to / intend to, and by + time (by the end of the year). Careful: ✗ I will meet my friend tonight at 8 (arrangement) → I'm meeting...

4.2

Choose the right form

  1. I've decided. I
    apply for the job.
  2. I
    my boss at 10 tomorrow — it's in my calendar.
  3. "The phone's ringing." "I
    get it!"
  4. The train
    at 7:15.
  5. I promise I
    call you later.
  6. By the end of the year, I hope
    more fluently.
  7. We
    a party on Saturday. Everyone's invited.
  8. I think it
    be a great year.
4.3

Fix the mistake

Each sentence has one mistake. Type the correct words.

  1. I will meet my friend tonight at 8 — we booked a table. →
  2. I'm going to learning Spanish. →
  3. The course is starting on Monday at 9 according to the timetable. →
  4. I hope learning to drive this year. →
  5. "The door is open." "I'm going to close it." (deciding now) →
  6. I will to call you tomorrow. →
4.4

Talk about it

Answer in detail. Use going to, Present Continuous and will correctly.

  1. What are you going to do this weekend? What arrangements have you made?
  2. What is your long-term goal? What is the first step?
  3. What have you been putting off? When are you going to do it?
  4. Make three "if-then" plans for your English learning.
  5. What do you hope to achieve by the end of this year?
  6. What are you looking forward to in the next six months?
5

Your goal plan

8 min
5.1

Three goals, three plans

Make one specific goal in each area, using the advice from the article. Present your plan to your teacher, who will be your "accountability partner".

Goal type 1

Career / study

  • What exactly is the goal?
  • By when?
  • What's the first step this week?
  • If-then plan
Goal type 2

Health / lifestyle

  • What exactly is the goal?
  • How will you keep track?
  • Who will you tell?
  • If-then plan
Goal type 3

Something just for fun

  • A trip, a hobby, a skill...
  • Why do you want it?
  • What might stop you?
  • If-then plan
5.2

Future me

Speak about your future self.

  1. Imagine it's one year from today. What has changed in your life?
  2. What did you achieve? What didn't you do, and why?
  3. What advice would "future you" give "today you"?
6

Personal questions

10 min
6.1

Part I: Me

  1. What was your ambition when you were a child?
  2. Do you prefer to plan or to go with the flow?
  3. Who helps you achieve your goals?
  4. What is a goal you gave up on? Why?
  5. How do you celebrate when you achieve something?
  6. Are you good at meeting deadlines?
  7. What is something you are determined to do before you're 60?
  8. How do you stay motivated?
6.2

Part II: Other people

  1. Do young people have bigger ambitions than older people?
  2. Should parents set goals for their children?
  3. Do companies set realistic goals for employees?
  4. Is it better to have one big goal or many small ones?
  5. Why do most New Year's resolutions fail?
  6. Is it good to be very ambitious?
6.3

Part III: Thinking deeper

  1. Is it possible to plan your life?
  2. Are goals necessary for happiness?
  3. Should we share our goals publicly?
  4. Does success depend more on planning or luck?
  5. Can too much planning kill creativity?
  6. What is more important: the goal or the journey?
7

Roleplay

10 min
7.1

The goals interview

You

Ambitious person

A podcast called "Big Plans" invites you as a guest. Talk about your plans and ambitions:
  • your long-term goal and why it matters
  • your plans for the next year (going to)
  • arrangements you've already made (Present Continuous)
  • how you'll make sure you follow through
Speak for at least 3 minutes in total. Use going to, Present Continuous and will correctly.
Your teacher

Podcast host

Asks short questions, for example:
  1. What are you doing next week to get closer?
  2. What will you do if it doesn't work?
  3. Who knows about your plan?
  4. How will you celebrate?
7.2

The accountability partner

You

Accountability partner

Your friend (your teacher) has a goal but keeps putting it off. Be their accountability partner:
  • ask what the goal is and why it matters
  • help them make it specific and realistic
  • create two "if-then" plans together
  • agree on how and when they'll report to you
You do most of the talking. Use: What exactly are you going to...? · If..., then you'll... · When are you starting? · I'll check in with you on...
Your teacher

Friend

Says things like:
  1. I'll start next month.
  2. I don't have time this week.
  3. I'm not sure it's realistic.
  4. OK, let's do it!
8

Debate

7 min
8.1

Agree or disagree?

"It's better to have no plans and go with the flow."

Ideas for

Life is unpredictable. Plans create stress and disappointment. The best opportunities come by surprise. Freedom is more fun.

Ideas against

Without goals, years pass and nothing changes. Research shows written plans help us achieve more. Plans give direction, but you can still be flexible.

Round 1: give your real opinion for 1–2 minutes. Round 2: defend the opposite side for 1 minute. Use: I'm going to... · Research shows... · If you don't plan, ... · At the end of the day...

9

Homework

at home

Your homework score

Do all four exercises, then press Check all homework. Correct answers will appear next to your mistakes.

– / 30
H1

Complete with a word

ambitiongoaldeadlinedeterminedlook forward toput offrealisticon track
  1. Her is to become a surgeon.
  2. My is to save €2,000 this year.
  3. The for applications is May 1st.
  4. He's to pass his driving test.
  5. I always summer holidays.
  6. Don't your homework until Sunday night!
  7. Is that a plan?
  8. We're to finish on time.
H2

Future forms: choose the correct option

  1. I've decided — I study abroad.
  2. I Anna at 7 tonight.
  3. "I'm cold." "I close the window."
  4. The film at 8:30.
  5. I promise I be on time.
  6. I hope by Friday.
  7. We to Rome on Sunday — we have the tickets.
  8. I think it rain later.
H3

Correct or incorrect?

Decide if each sentence is grammatically correct.

  1. I'm meeting my manager at 3 p.m. tomorrow.
  2. I'm going to learning Italian.
  3. The train leaves at 6.
  4. I hope learning to cook.
  5. "It's heavy." "I'll help you."
  6. I will to call you later.
  7. By the end of the year, I hope to reach B2.
H4

Match the two halves

  1. I'm going to
  2. I'm meeting my manager
  3. By the end of the year,
  4. My long-term goal is
  5. The first step is
  6. I've been putting off
  7. I have my interview tomorrow.

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© Yevheniia Kolesnykova, Academy of Languages. All rights reserved. No copying or reuse without written permission.