Pratique du Shadowing: How to Use “Will” vs “Going To” In English | Real Life English | Podcast for Beginners - Apprendre l'anglais à l'oral avec la vidéo
Création de la leçon...
1
Hello everyone and welcome back to Talk Emma, the place where English feels human, simple, and real.
2
Hi everyone!
3
It's really good to have you with us today.
4
How are you feeling right now?
5
Before we start learning, let me ask you something simple.
6
How was your day?
7
Because learning English is not just about grammar.
8
It's about your day, your mood, your life.
9
Exactly.
10
Maybe you had a busy day, maybe a tired day, or maybe a good one with tea, coffee, or a small smile.
11
For me, it was one of those days where you plan a lot and finish only half.
12
That sounds very human and very familiar.
13
Yes, and that's why today's topic is important, because we talk about plans all the time.
14
Plans, decisions, future thoughts.
15
Things like, what will I do?
16
What am I going to do?
17
And many learners ask us this question again and again.
18
Yes, what is the difference between will and going to?
19
If this question lives in your mind, you're not alone.
20
Most English learners feel confused here.
21
They know both are about the future, but they don't know when to use which one.
22
And sometimes they stop speaking because they're afraid of choosing the wrong one.
23
So, let us say this clearly right now.
24
Making mistakes here is normal.
25
Very normal.
26
Yes, even native speakers don't think about rules all the time.
27
They feel the situation.
28
And today, we'll help you feel it, too.
29
But before we slowly move into the lesson, we have a small request.
30
If you enjoy learning English in a calm, friendly way, if this podcast helps you feel more confident,
31
please like this episode and subscribe to Talk Emma.
32
It really supports us.
33
And it helps us continue making real-life English podcasts for you.
34
All right.
35
Now let's begin slowly.
36
Okay.
37
Let me ask you something simple.
38
Okay.
39
Right now, do you know what you'll eat for dinner?
40
Hmm.
41
Good question.
42
See?
43
I think, yes.
44
I'm planning pasta tonight.
45
Planning already?
46
Yes.
47
I bought everything in the morning.
48
Interesting.
49
So listen carefully to this sentence.
50
I'm going to eat pasta tonight.
51
That sounds very natural.
52
Because the plan already exists.
53
Exactly.
54
Now, let me change the situation.
55
Okay.
56
Imagine you didn't plan anything.
57
You're just talking.
58
All right.
59
And suddenly you say, I think I'll eat something light tonight.
60
Perfect.
61
Did you notice the difference?
62
Yes.
63
One was planned.
64
One was decided in the moment.
65
And that is the heart of today's topic.
66
Not rules first, feeling first.
67
So let's make it very clear.
68
We use going to when a plan already exists.
69
A decision made before speaking.
70
Something you already thought about.
71
For example, I'm going to start exercising next week.
72
That means the idea is already in your mind.
73
Maybe you even bought shoes.
74
Or watched YouTube videos about workouts.
75
Yes.
76
Now compare that with will.
77
We use will for instant decisions.
78
Decisions made at the moment of speaking.
79
Like when the phone rings.
80
And you say...
81
I'll answer it.
82
You didn't plan it.
83
It just happened.
84
Let's take another example.
85
Okay.
86
You're sitting at home.
87
Your friend says, I'm thirsty.
88
And you reply...
89
I'll get you some water.
90
That's not a plan.
91
That's a spontaneous decision.
92
So here, will feels right.
93
Now let's talk about promises.
94
Ah, yes, very important.
95
When we promise something, we usually use will.
96
Like, I'll help you tomorrow.
97
Or, I won't forget.
98
Promises live in will.
99
Now predictions.
100
Good point.
101
When we predict something based on opinion, we often use will.
102
For example, I think it will rain today.
103
But if you see dark clouds, then you say, it's going to rain.
104
Because you see evidence.
105
So, again, feeling, situation, context.
106
Not memorizing grammar tables.
107
That's why we say, English is not about pressure.
108
It's about clarity. And practice.
109
Small practice every day.
110
Now that we understand the basic feeling of will and going to, let's talk about real life,
111
because that's where learners usually get confused.
112
Yes, especially when they start thinking too much.
113
They pause, they translate in their head, and suddenly the conversation feels heavy.
114
Exactly.
115
English should not feel heavy.
116
It should feel like talking about your day, your plans, your thoughts.
117
Let's imagine a very normal situation.
118
You're at home in the evening, sitting on your sofa, scrolling on your phone.
119
And suddenly you remember, tomorrow is Monday.
120
That feeling alone changes everything.
121
It really does.
122
Now in that moment, you say something like, I'm going to wake up early tomorrow.
123
Because you already know it.
124
You already accepted it.
125
Your mind prepared for it.
126
Yes, that's going to.
127
A future plan already living in your head.
128
Now imagine a slightly different moment.
129
Your phone rings and it's your friend.
130
They say, can you help me tomorrow morning?
131
And without planning, without thinking too much, you reply, okay, I'll help you.
132
That answer came from the moment, not from a plan.
133
And that's why will sounds natural there.
134
This is where many learners struggle, because both sentences talk about the future.
135
But the feeling behind them is different.
136
Let's talk about another common situation, work.
137
Ah, yes.
138
Work conversations confuse people a lot.
139
Imagine your manager asks you in the morning, What are you doing this afternoon?
140
And you already know your schedule.
141
You say, I'm going to attend a meeting at 3 p.m.
142
Because it's planned, it's written, it's decided.
143
Now imagine something changes.
144
The meeting gets canceled.
145
Your manager looks at you and says, OK, what will you do now?
146
And you answer, I think I'll finish my report.
147
See the difference?
148
One was fixed.
149
The other was decided in the moment.
150
And this happens every day in real life.
151
Yes, in offices, homes, shops, conversations with friends.
152
Let's talk about offers, another big area.
153
Very important.
154
Imagine your friend looks tired.
155
You notice it.
156
You don't plan anything.
157
You just feel it.
158
And you say, I'll make you some tea.
159
That sentence feels warm.
160
Because will is very natural for offers.
161
It sounds caring.
162
Now let's flip the situation.
163
You already planned something.
164
You invited your friend earlier.
165
You bought snacks.
166
You prepared everything.
167
And you say, I'm going to make tea for you.
168
Both sentences are correct, but the situation changes the choice.
169
That's why memorizing rules alone never works.
170
Learners need to see the situation.
171
Feel the moment.
172
Now let's talk about mistakes, because mistakes are part of learning.
173
Yes, and many learners fear them too much.
174
Some learners think, if I choose the wrong one, people will judge me.
175
But that's not real life.
176
In real life, people understand your meaning.
177
They don't stop the conversation to correct grammar.
178
They focus on communication.
179
So if you say, I will go to the gym tomorrow.
180
When you actually planned it earlier.
181
It's not wrong in communication.
182
It may not be perfect grammar style, but it's understandable.
183
And confidence matters more than perfection.
184
Exactly.
185
Now let's talk about predictions, because this is another confusing area.
186
Yes.
187
Predictions depend on evidence or opinion.
188
Imagine you look outside.
189
The sky is dark.
190
Clouds are heavy.
191
You feel rain in the air.
192
You say, it's going to rain, because you see it.
193
Now imagine a different moment.
194
You're just talking, no clouds, no signs.
195
You say, I think it will rain later.
196
That's your opinion, not evidence.
197
So again, feeling, situation, Let's bring this closer to daily life.
198
Yes, because learners want English for real conversations.
199
Imagine you're learning English seriously.
200
You say to yourself, I'm going to practice English every day.
201
That's a plan.
202
But one day you feel lazy.
203
You're tired.
204
You say, okay, I'll practice for just five minutes.
205
That decision happened in the moment.
206
Both sentences are honest.
207
Both are real.
208
And both use the future differently.
209
This is how English lives in real life.
210
Now that we've talked about plans,
211
decisions, offers, and predictions, let's look at the mistakes learners make again and again with will and going to.
212
Yes, because understanding the idea is one thing, but using it while speaking is a different story.
213
Exactly.
214
Many learners freeze in the middle of a sentence.
215
They stop, they think, and the conversation loses its rhythm.
216
Let's talk about the first common mistake, using will for everything.
217
I hear this a lot.
218
Learners say, I will go to the market tomorrow.
219
I will meet my friend later.
220
I will study English tonight.
221
And technically, people understand them.
222
Yes.
223
But it doesn't always sound natural.
224
Because in most of these cases, the plan already exists.
225
The decision was made earlier.
226
So going to fits better in many daily situations.
227
For example, I'm going to meet my friend this evening.
228
That sounds relaxed.
229
Natural.
230
Like real life.
231
The problem is learners think will sounds more advanced.
232
Yes, they feel will is stronger English.
233
But native speakers don't think like that.
234
They think in situations, not rules.
235
Now let's talk about the second mistake, using going to for sudden decisions.
236
This one creates awkward moments.
237
Imagine someone drops their phone, you see it fall, and you say, I'm going to help you.
238
It sounds strange.
239
Because the moment already passed.
240
The decision is instant, so Will feels more human there.
241
I'll help you.
242
Quick.
243
Natural.
244
The language matches the moment.
245
Now let's talk about emotions, because emotions change grammar choices too.
246
Very true.
247
Imagine you're angry.
248
You just had an argument.
249
You say, I'll never talk to him again.
250
That sentence comes from emotion, not planning.
251
Exactly.
252
That's why will is used.
253
Now imagine a calmer situation.
254
You've thought about it for days.
255
You say, I'm going to change my job.
256
That sounds thoughtful.
257
Prepared.
258
So emotions matter.
259
Tone matters.
260
And context matters.
261
Another common mistake is overthinking while speaking.
262
Yes.
263
Learners stop enjoying the conversation.
264
They ask themselves, is this will or going to?
265
What is correct?
266
What is the rule?
267
But real conversations don't wait.
268
People speak first.
269
They think later.
270
And that's okay.
271
That's how fluency grows.
272
Let's give a simple tip to our listeners.
273
A very important one.
274
If the plan already lives in your head, use going to.
275
If the decision is born in the moment, use will.
276
Don't search for perfection.
277
Search for connection.
278
Now let's practice with a small story.
279
Yes, stories help memory.
280
Imagine it's Sunday evening.
281
You're sitting at home.
282
You look at your calendar.
283
You say, I'm going to wake up early tomorrow.
284
Now suddenly your phone rings.
285
Your friend says, I need help right now.
286
And you reply, okay, I'll come.
287
Two futures, two feelings, one conversation.
288
That's real English.
289
Let's also talk about confidence.
290
Because grammar alone doesn't build confidence.
291
Confidence comes from speaking.
292
From making small mistakes.
293
And continuing anyway.
294
So if you ever say the wrong one.
295
Don't stop.
296
Don't apologize too much.
297
Just keep going.
298
Because fluency is movement, not perfection.
299
Now we'll bring everything together with longer conversations, daily life examples, and clear habits you can use from today.
300
Now that we've talked about rules, situations, mistakes, and feelings, let's help people actually use will and going to in real life.
301
Yes, because knowledge without use stays stuck in the head.
302
And English needs to come out of the mouth.
303
Naturally.
304
Calmly.
305
Without fear.
306
Let's start with daily morning situations.
307
Good idea.
308
You wake up.
309
You look outside.
310
Dark clouds everywhere.
311
You say, it's going to rain today.
312
Why?
313
Because you see evidence.
314
You're not guessing randomly.
315
Now your phone buzzes.
316
Your friend messages, I forgot my umbrella.
317
And you reply, don't worry, I'll bring one for you.
318
That decision happens in the moment.
319
No planning, just kindness.
320
This is how grammar follows life.
321
Not the other way around.
322
Now let's talk about work and study situations.
323
Very important for beginners.
324
Imagine you're talking to your colleague.
325
You already decided last night.
326
You say, I'm going to finish this report today.
327
Clear plan.
328
But suddenly your boss walks in.
329
She says, we need help with this file right now.
330
You reply, I'll help you.
331
Quick decision.
332
Natural English.
333
Now let's talk about emotional future statements.
334
These are powerful.
335
Someone hurts you.
336
You say, I'll never forget this.
337
Strong emotion, not a calm plan.
338
That's why will fits.
339
But later, when you're calm, You might say, I'm going to focus on myself now.
340
That sounds mature, thoughtful, planned.
341
English reflects your emotional state.
342
That's why memorizing rules alone doesn't work.
343
You must feel the sentence.
344
Now let's help our listeners build a habit.
345
A simple daily habit.
346
Every night, ask yourself two questions.
347
First question, what am I already planning for tomorrow?
348
Use going to.
349
Second question, what might happen suddenly?
350
Use will.
351
Say the sentences out loud.
352
Even if you're alone.
353
Especially if you're alone.
354
Your brain needs practice, not pressure.
355
Now let's do a longer mini-conversation.
356
Yes, this will help flow.
357
Imagine two friends talking in the evening.
358
One says, what are your plans for the weekend?
359
The other replies, I'm going to visit my parents.
360
Then suddenly the phone rings.
361
A friend says, we need help moving tomorrow.
362
Okay, I'll come after lunch.
363
Both futures in one conversation.
364
No confusion.
365
Just context.
366
That's the secret word today, context.
367
Not grammar fear.
368
Before we finish, let's talk about confidence one last time.
369
Yes, this matters.
370
If you mix will and going to sometimes, it's okay.
371
People still understand you.
372
Communication comes first.
373
Perfection comes later.
374
And sometimes, never.
375
And that's perfectly fine.
376
Because real English is flexible.
377
Alive.
378
Human.
379
So remember, plans, going to.
380
Instant decisions, will.
381
Evidence, going to.
382
Promises, offers.
383
Emotions, will.
384
That's enough to start speaking today.
385
Not tomorrow, not next week.
386
Today.
387
And if this podcast helped you feel even a little more confident, please support us, subscribe to the channel,
388
like this episode, and share it with someone who's learning English like you.
389
Your support helps us create more real, simple, human English conversations.
390
We are not here to teach perfect English.
391
We're here to help you use English.
392
With confidence, with clarity, and with courage.
393
See you in the next episode.
394
Until then, keep speaking.
395
Bye, everyone.
About This Lesson
In this lesson, you will explore the differences between "will" and "going to" in English. These two phrases are essential for discussing future events and intentions, and understanding when to use each of them can significantly enhance your communication skills. You will learn how these forms reflect the speaker's planning, spontaneity, and confidence in statements about the future. Engaging in this practice will not only boost your grammatical accuracy but will also improve your overall fluency, making you feel more comfortable in conversations.
Key Vocabulary & Phrases
- Will: Used for spontaneous decisions or predictions.
- Going to: Indicates a plan or intention made before speaking.
- Plans: Pre-made arrangements for future activities.
- Decisions: Choices made regarding future actions.
- Mood: The emotional state affecting language use.
- Future thoughts: Considerations about what is to come.
- Feel the situation: Understanding the context of situations to choose words effectively.
Practice Tips
To enhance your speaking skills, especially in the context of "will" versus "going to," consider using the shadowing technique. This involves listening to the spoken material from the lesson and mimicking the speaker closely. Pay attention to their intonation, emotion, and pacing, as this will help you develop a natural rhythm in your speech. Since the style of this podcast is calm and conversational, it provides an excellent opportunity to practice shadow speech in a relatable context.
Try this shadow speak activity: listen to the transcript and pause after each sentence. Repeat what you hear, imitating the tone and pace of the speaker. You can record yourself to compare and identify areas for improvement. This is particularly useful for those preparing for IELTS speaking practice, as embracing natural speech patterns can lead to a more authentic conversation regardless of the topic.
Remember, making mistakes is part of the learning process. The more you use "will" and "going to" in your speaking practice, the more instinctive their use will become. Regular practice on this shadowing site can guide you in correct usage while boosting your confidence in future conversations.
Qu'est-ce que la technique du Shadowing ?
Le Shadowing est une technique d'apprentissage des langues fondée sur la science, développée à l'origine pour la formation des interprètes professionnels. Le principe est simple mais puissant : vous écoutez de l'anglais natif et le répétez immédiatement à voix haute — comme une ombre suivant le locuteur avec un décalage de 1 à 2 secondes. Les recherches montrent une amélioration significative de la précision de la prononciation, de l'intonation, du rythme, des liaisons, de la compréhension orale et de la fluidité.