Ask and Find

Elementary (A1-A2) 30 minutes
ESL Find Someone Who activity preview: students use be going to and present continuous questions about future plans and arrangements at Elementary A1-A2.

ESL Be Going To and Present Continuous Activity - Grammar and Speaking: Asking and Answering Questions

In this 'be going to' and present continuous speaking activity, students practice asking and answering yes/no questions about future plans and arrangements and finding classmates who give the...

ESL Be Going To and Present Continuous Activity - Grammar and Speaking: Asking and Answering Questions, Controlled and Freer In this 'be going to' and present continuous speaking activity, students practice asking and answering yes/no questions about future plans and arrangements and finding classmates who give the same answers. First, go through each question on the worksheet and check the meaning with the students, e.g. 'Are you going to watch TV tonight?' 'Are you taking a test next week?' Next, students answer the questions and write short answers (Yes, I am. / No, I'm not.) in the column marked 'You'. Students then go around the class asking and answering the yes/no questions to find classmates with the same answers. When a student finds someone with the same answer, the two students write each other's names in the last column and then move on to speak to someone else. This process continues until the students have completed as many items as possible with a name. When the students have finished, get feedback from the class by asking the students questions with 'Who...?', e.g. 'Who is going to watch TV tonight?'
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Fixed and Intended Future Plans

Pre-intermediate (A2) 30 minutes
ESL worksheet preview for be going to and present continuous: gap-fill, categorizing, and matching for Pre-intermediate A2.

ESL Be Going To and Present Continuous Worksheet - Grammar Exercises: Gap-fill, Categorizing, Matching, Writing Sentences

In this comprehensive 'be going to' and present continuous worksheet, students practice using the present continuous for fixed future plans and 'be going to' for intended future plans...

ESL Be Going To and Present Continuous Worksheet - Grammar Exercises: Gap-fill, Categorizing, Underlining, Matching, Writing Sentences In this comprehensive 'be going to' and present continuous worksheet, students practice using the present continuous for fixed future plans and 'be going to' for intended future plans. Students begin by reading a conversation about future plans and completing gaps with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. Next, students put the future plans from the conversation in the correct category, fixed future plans or intended future plans. Students then complete grammar rules for using 'be going to' and the present continuous. Students then move on to use verbs from a box to complete be going to sentences and match situations to them. After that, students use prompts to create fixed future plans in the present continuous tense. Finally, students write about a fixed and an intended future plan of their own.
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Next Week

Pre-intermediate (A2) 30 minutes
ESL Next Week speaking activity preview for present continuous: students arrange future plans and fill out schedules at Pre-intermediate A2.

ESL Be Going To and Present Continuous Activity - Speaking: Asking and Answering Questions, Table Completion, Freer Practice

In this useful ‘be going to’ and present continuous activity, students plan a schedule for next week with leisure activities and then make and confirm arrangements with classmates using...

ESL Be Going To and Present Continuous Activity - Speaking: Asking and Answering Questions, Table Completion, Freer Practice In this useful ‘be going to’ and present continuous activity, students plan a schedule for next week with leisure activities and then make and confirm arrangements with classmates using 'be going to' for plans and the present continuous for fixed times. First, students think of eight leisure activities they are going to do next week and write them anywhere on their schedules, leaving the lines marked 'with' and 'at' blank. Next, students go around the class and find someone who is free to do each activity with them. When two students agree to do an activity together, they write each other's names next to 'with', the time they have arranged to meet next to 'at' in their schedules, and say the arrangement using the present continuous. Students continue until they have a partner for each activity and have completed their schedules. Finally, students tell the class about their week using both forms, e.g. 'On Monday afternoon, I'm going to study English. On Saturday evening, I'm meeting Marco at 7:30 p.m.'
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Who wrote this sentence?

Pre-intermediate (A2) 30 minutes
ESL Who wrote this sentence? game preview: students write and guess future plans using be going to and present continuous at Pre-intermediate A2.

ESL Be Going To and Present Continuous Game - Grammar and Speaking: Writing Sentences, Asking and Answering Questions, Freer Practice

In this entertaining 'be going to' and present continuous game has students write true sentences about their future plans and definite arrangements, then...

ESL Be Going To and Present Continuous Game - Grammar: Writing Sentences, Asking and Answering Questions, Freer Practice In this entertaining 'be going to' and present continuous game has students write true sentences about their future plans and definite arrangements, then mingle to identify who wrote each sentence by asking yes/no questions with the target forms and time expressions. First, students complete sentences on cards with true information about their future plans or definite arrangements, fold up their sentences, and put them in a box. Next, all the students stand up and take one card each from the box. Students then find out who wrote each sentence by asking their classmates yes/no questions with 'be going to' or the present continuous. When a classmate answers 'Yes, I am', the student writes their name on the card, keeps it and takes another one from the box. If a classmate replies 'No, I'm not' or they didn't write the sentence, the student moves on to ask someone else. The student with the most sentences at the end is the winner.
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Future Forms Face-Off

Intermediate (B1) 30 minutes
ESL Be Going to and Present Continuous Card Game preview: Intermediate students practice talking about intentions, plans, and fixed future arrangements

ESL Be Going To and Present Continuous Game - Grammar and Speaking: Forming Sentences, Impromptu Speech, Communicative Practice - Group Work

In this inventive 'be going to' and present continuous game, students practice talking about intentions, plans, and fixed future arrangements for different...

ESL Be Going To and Present Continuous Game - Grammar and Speaking: Forming Sentences, Impromptu Speech, Communicative Practice - Group Work In this inventive 'be going to' and present continuous game, students practice talking about intentions, plans, and fixed future arrangements for different topics using 'be going to' and the present continuous. In groups, the first student picks up a card from the pile and lays it face up on the table, e.g. organise a party. The student then flips a coin. If the coin shows heads, the student talks about future arrangements using the present continuous. If it's tails, they talk about plans or intentions using 'be going to'. Next, the student talks for 30 seconds using the target form. The first sentence must use the verb shown on the card. Each sentence after that should use a different main verb and stay on topic. Students score one point for each correct sentence in the required form within the 30-second time frame. The next student then picks up a card, and so on. The student with the most points at the end of the game wins.
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That Sounds Like a Plan

Intermediate (B1) 25 minutes
ESL group activity preview for be going to and present continuous: students make plans and arrangements and fill a diary at Intermediate B1.

ESL Be Going To and Present Continuous Activity - Grammar and Speaking: Asking and Answering Questions, Giving Reasons, Communicative Practice - Group Work

This productive 'be going to' and present continuous activity helps students practice the difference between 'be going to' for future plans or intentions and...

ESL Be Going To and Present Continuous Activity - Grammar and Speaking: Asking and Answering Questions, Giving Reasons, Communicative Practice - Group Work This productive 'be going to' and present continuous activity helps students practice the difference between 'be going to' for future plans or intentions and the present continuous for definite future arrangements. First, in groups, students complete their diaries with ten activities for next week. Five should be personal definite arrangements with fixed times. The other five should be general plans without specific times. Five spaces in the diary should be left empty. Next, students try to find one person to do each activity with and make other arrangements to fill up their diary. They do this by asking other group members if they are free at certain times. If a group member replies 'yes', the student invites them to do one of the general plan activities from their diary. If their partner agrees, the student writes their partner's name next to the activity, and both students write the activity in their diaries. If they agree on a specific time, they note that this is now a definite arrangement. If a group member replies 'No', the student gives a reason using the present continuous with their definite arrangement if there is a fixed time. Finally, groups give feedback to the class on their plans for next week.
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The Explanation Game

Intermediate (B1) 25 minutes
ESL Explanation Game board game preview: students use be going to vs. present continuous for future explanations at Intermediate B1.

ESL Be Going To and Present Continuous Board Game - Grammar: Forming Sentences - Group Work

In this free 'be going to' and present continuous board game, students talk about future plans and definite arrangements, explaining reasons with 'because' and results with 'so'. In groups, students...

ESL Be Going To and Present Continuous Board Game - Grammar: Forming Sentences from Prompts - Group Work In this free 'be going to' and present continuous board game, students talk about future plans and definite arrangements, explaining reasons with 'because' and results with 'so'. In groups, students take turns rolling the dice and moving their counters along the board. When a student lands on a square with a prompt, they complete it with either 'be going to' for general future plans or the present continuous for definite arrangements with fixed times. If the prompt is already a complete sentence, students add a reason with 'because' or a result with 'so'. For prompts ending with 'because', students explain the reason for their plan or arrangement. For prompts ending with 'so', students explain the consequence or result of the situation. For time-related prompts like 'Next weekend...', students create a complete sentence about their plans or arrangements for that time. The other students in the group judge the student's explanation and use of future forms. If the response is appropriate, the student stays on the square. If a student makes a mistake or cannot think of an explanation, they go back two squares. The first student to reach the finish square wins the game.
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The Long Weekend

Intermediate (B1) 30 minutes
ESL Long Weekend speaking activity preview: students state intentions and turn them into confirmed arrangements at Intermediate B1.

ESL Be Going To and Present Continuous Activity - Grammar and Speaking: Asking and Answering Questions, Writing Sentences, Communicative Practice

In this communicative 'be going to' and present continuous activity, students plan a long weekend by stating intentions and turning them into...

ESL Be Going To and Present Continuous Activity - Speaking: Asking and Answering Questions, Communicative Practice In this communicative 'be going to' and present continuous activity, students plan a long weekend by stating intentions and turning them into confirmed arrangements, while inviting classmates and accepting or declining invitations. First, students think of seven activities they would like to do over an upcoming long weekend and write them in the calendar as plans using 'be going to', e.g. 'I'm going to hike in the park.' Students then go around the class asking a different classmate to join them in each activity. When two students agree to do an activity together, both students write the activity in their calendars as a confirmed arrangement in the present continuous, e.g. 'I'm meeting Sam to hike in the park at 3 p.m.' The students who manage to fill up their entire calendar are the winners. Afterwards, students use the present continuous to give feedback to the class about their arrangements over the long weekend.
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Your Future in 30 Seconds

Intermediate (B1) 30 minutes
ESL board game preview for be going to and present continuous: students discuss future plans for 30 seconds at Intermediate B1.

ESL Be Going To and Present Continuous Board Game - Grammar and Speaking: Impromptu Speech, Communicative Practice - Group Work

In this fun 'be going to' and present continuous board game, students talk about different future plans or arrangements for 30 seconds. Players take turns...

ESL Be Going To and Present Continuous Board Game - Grammar and Speaking: Impromptu Speech, Communicative Practice - Group Work In this fun 'be going to' and present continuous board game, students talk about different future plans or arrangements for 30 seconds. Players take turns rolling the dice and moving their counters along the board. When a player lands on a square, they talk about the future plan or arrangement on the square for 30 seconds using either the present continuous or 'be going to' as appropriate. The other group members listen and judge the player's response. If the player manages to talk about the topic for 30 seconds using the present continuous or 'be going to' correctly, they stay on the square. If the player stops talking before the time is up or makes a grammar mistake, they go back two squares. The first player to reach the finish wins the game.
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Understanding Be Going To and Present Continuous

'Be going to' and the present continuous are both used to talk about the future, but they express different things. 'Be going to' signals a personal plan or intention that has not yet been confirmed with anyone else, as in 'I'm going to start going to the gym,' while the present continuous signals a fixed arrangement that is already set, often with another person and a specific time, as in 'I'm meeting Sam at 3 p.m.' Students who swap one form for the other signal the wrong level of commitment: using the present continuous for a vague intention makes it sound like a confirmed appointment, while using 'be going to' for a fixed arrangement makes a firm commitment sound uncertain.

This page covers be going to and the present continuous across A1-A2, A2, and B1 levels, with nine activities including grammar worksheets, schedule-building speaking tasks, board games, and mingle activities, with one activity available as a free download.

The table below maps the key structures and uses of 'be going to' and the present continuous when both are used to talk about the future.

StructureBe Going ToPresent Continuous for Future
Positive statement subject + am/is/are + going to + base verb subject + am/is/are + verb-ing
Negative statement subject + am/is/are + not + going to + base verb subject + am/is/are + not + verb-ing
Yes/No question Am/Is/Are + subject + going to + base verb? Am/Is/Are + subject + verb-ing?
Wh- question Wh- word + am/is/are + subject + going to + base verb? Wh- word + am/is/are + subject + verb-ing?
Typical use plans and intentions not yet confirmed with anyone fixed arrangements, often with another person
Common time signals soon, next week, one day, eventually tonight at 8, on Friday, next Monday at 3
Positive example 'I'm going to start a new course next month.' 'I'm having dinner with Jana on Friday.'
Negative example 'She isn't going to apply for the job.' 'He isn't working this Saturday.'
Yes/No question example 'Are you going to watch the match tonight?' 'Are you working this weekend?'
Wh- question example 'What are you going to do next summer?' 'Who are you meeting tomorrow?'

When to Use Be Going To and Present Continuous

Reporting a Fixed Arrangement: The present continuous is the natural choice when reporting a confirmed arrangement that involves another person, because it signals that the time and place are already set, as in 'The director is meeting the client at two o'clock on Thursday.'

Sharing a Pre-Made Decision: 'Be going to' is the right form when a speaker wants to share a decision or intention they formed before the conversation began, making it clear a plan exists even if no specific time is fixed, as in 'I'm going to apply for a transfer to the new office.'

Declining with a Prior Arrangement: The present continuous is the standard form in English for turning down an invitation by citing a pre-existing commitment, because using 'be going to' can make the arrangement sound uncertain and come across as an excuse rather than a genuine prior plan, as in 'I can't make it on Saturday, I'm taking my parents to the airport.'

3-Step Framework for Teaching Be Going To and Present Continuous

1. Establish the Distinction Before Any Speaking Begins: Start with a worksheet that makes the meaning difference between the two forms visible and concrete. The key task is categorizing: students read a conversation about future plans and sort each plan into one of two columns, fixed future plans or intended future plans. That sorting decision forces students to engage with the meaning rather than just manipulate a form, and once they can categorize confidently, the grammar rules for each structure click into place far more naturally.

2. Put Both Forms to Work in a Real Context: Move students into a scheduling activity where they plan activities for the coming week and then go around the class finding classmates to join them. When two students agree on an activity, they both record it in their schedules with a name and a time. The speaking model that closes the activity makes the form distinction vivid and memorable: a student might say 'On Monday afternoon, I'm going to study English' for a personal plan, then 'On Saturday evening, I'm meeting Marco at 7:30 p.m.' for a confirmed arrangement, with both forms in the same sentence.

3. Add Reasons and Results for Depth: Round off the sequence with a board game that pushes students beyond simply producing the correct form and into connecting their future plans to reasons and consequences. When a student lands on a complete-sentence prompt, they extend it by adding a reason with 'because' or a result with 'so', which means every turn requires both accurate form choice and logical thinking. The penalty rule keeps the standard high: if a student makes a mistake or cannot think of an explanation, they go back two squares.

Common Mistakes with Be Going To and Present Continuous

Using 'Will' Instead of 'Be Going To' for Pre-Made Plans: Students often use 'will' to talk about a plan they have already made, but 'will' signals a decision made at the moment of speaking, while 'be going to' is the correct form for a plan formed before the conversation began. Wrong: 'I will visit my grandmother next Sunday.' Correct: 'I'm going to visit my grandmother next Sunday.'

Dropping the Verb 'Be' in 'Be Going To': Students often omit the verb 'be' when forming 'be going to', producing an ungrammatical sentence even though the intended meaning is clear. Wrong: 'She going to start a new job next month.' Correct: 'She's going to start a new job next month.'

Common Questions About Teaching Be Going To and Present Continuous

What is a good speaking activity for practicing be going to and present continuous?

Be going to and present continuous activities work best when students need a real reason to use both forms. Who wrote this sentence? has students write true sentences about their future plans on cards and place them in a box. Students then ask yes/no questions using both forms to find out who wrote each card, and the student with the most cards wins.

What is a fun classroom game for teaching the difference between be going to and present continuous?

The difference between be going to and present continuous clicks fastest when students must choose under pressure. Future Forms Face-Off has students pick a topic card and flip a coin: heads means present continuous for arrangements, tails means 'be going to' for plans or intentions. Students score one point for each correct sentence they produce within 30 seconds.

How do I get students to practice be going to and present continuous in a communicative way?

Be going to and present continuous tasks work best when students must use both forms. In The Long Weekend, students plan seven activities using 'be going to' and invite classmates to join them. When two students agree, both rewrite the plan as a confirmed present continuous arrangement, such as 'I'm meeting Sam to hike in the park at 3 p.m.'

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