Shadowing Practice: Future Plans in English Conversation | Will, Going to, Present Continuous, Present Simple - Learn English Speaking with Video

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1
So, are you guys going to Gus’s party on Saturday?
2
Yes, Steve and I will be there.
3
But I think we’ll be late. Do you think that’ll be ok?
4
I think so. He told me that most people are going to show up around 7.
5
Ok, great. We’re going out for dinner with Steve’s parents at 6, so we will probably arrive just after 9.
6
John, are you going to Gus’s party?
7
No, I’m going to be studying for my midterm test on Saturday.
8
The test is on Monday.
9
Who will be going?
10
Well, I would guess that around 10 people will be there.
11
Cool. Will Sally be there?
12
Yes, she’s coming. But she’s going to bring her new boyfriend.
13
Boyfriend? Oh well.
14
Anyway… Marcus, are you still going to Australia next week?
15
Yes! I'm flying next Thursday, and I'm going to spend the first few days in Sydney and then I'm going to rent a caravan and tour around the country.
16
Cool! How long are you going to be gone?
17
I just quit my job at the bank so I will have plenty of time to enjoy a long vacation.
18
I think it's going to be an incredible trip so I will stay as long as I can.
19
What about you, John? What are you going to do after you graduate?
20
Maybe I'll take a vacation too. I don't know. I'll decide then.
21
Hey, What are you guys doing tonight?
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Since Markus is leaving next week, he and I are going to a live show at the pub downtown for a little going away party.
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Want to come?
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Cool! Who is playing?
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Japanda Banda. I think it will be an awesome show.
26
Sounds fun but I can't.
27
I'm going to work on my project tonight because I'm giving a presentation at noon tomorrow and I need to be ready.
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But I'll call you if I finish early.
29
Sure! We will be there at 7 and the show starts at 8.
30
John, will you come?
31
Maybe, will Sally be there?
32
I'll invite her… and her boyfriend.
33
Oh yeah, I forgot!
34
Ok, I will come. I will be a little late because I'm going to be in class until 7.
35
Will you get me an extra ticket and I'll pay you back when I get there?
36
No problem.
37
Ok, If everyone is going, I will go too.
38
I will try to finish my project as quickly as I can.
39
Great. It's going to be a fun night.
40
I will miss you, guys when I'm in Australia.
41
We'll miss you too! I'm sure it's going to be the trip of a lifetime.
42
Oh, hi guys!
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Sally! We were just making plans for tonight.
44
We are going to a concert. Want to join us?
45
Sure, I would love to.
46
I just broke up with my boyfriend and it will be good to get out with friends.
47
John, are you going?
48
Cool!

Why Practice Speaking with This Video?

This video is a fantastic resource for English learners, offering a real-life conversation context where future plans are discussed in a casual setting. By engaging with the dialogues, you can practice everyday vocabulary and expressions, which are essential for effective communication. The lively interaction among friends planning their evening allows you to observe how native speakers naturally express future intentions. Practicing with this material can boost your confidence in speaking English and help you become more fluent in conversational contexts. Utilizing a shadowing app while listening to this video can further enhance your speaking ability, as you can mimic the speakers’ intonation and rhythm.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

  • Using "will" for spontaneous decisions: Phrases like "I think we’ll be late" show how "will" is often used to indicate decisions made at the moment of speaking. This structure is crucial for confident and natural conversation.
  • "Going to" for planned actions: The expression "I’m going to be studying for my midterm test" indicates something planned. Mastering this expression allows learners to discuss future arrangements clearly.
  • Present continuous for future arrangements: "I am going to work on my project tonight" illustrates how the present continuous tense can also be used to talk about future activities. This tip is often overlooked, yet it’s helpful for more advanced dialogue.
  • Present simple for scheduled events: The phrase "the show starts at 8" showcases the use of the present simple for timetables. Understanding this can help learners communicate about events and schedules accurately.

To effectively learn these grammar structures, engage in shadow speak practice, where you repeat what you hear in real-time. This technique can significantly improve your English pronunciation.

Common Pronunciation Traps

Pronunciation is essential for clear communication, and this video presents some words and phrases that might be tricky for learners. For instance, "going to" is often reduced in informal speech to sound like "gonna." It’s crucial to master this contraction because it will help you sound more natural when speaking with friends. Additionally, pay attention to the words "probably" and "presentation," as they may be pronounced quickly, making them hard to recognize in fast-paced conversation.

Engaging in a shadow speech exercise using this video can help you practice these challenging words. By modeling your pronunciation after native speakers, you can significantly improve your English pronunciation and fluency.

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

StructureIn the video
Future with “going to” be going to + verb — a plan or something you can see comingare going to show · I'm going to be · she's going to bring
Future with “will” will + verb — a decision, promise or predictionwill be · we'll be · will probably arrive
Present continuous am/is/are + -ing — something happening right now or around nowWe're going · I'm flying · is leaving

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →