Making plans in English helps ESL students practice English and organize their tasks and goals.
For making effective plans, they need to learn to outline steps for achieving what they want and discuss their intended actions. Once they know what to achieve, they need to be able to describe the process.
It’s a way for them to develop their English skills while actively preparing for their goals and ambitions.
Many students find it hard to start talking about their plans. They may struggle with finding the right words and organizing their thoughts.
How can you, as an ESL teacher, help your students overcome these challenges and improve their ability to make plans in English?
While teaching speaking skills, you need to make sure to choose the right activity. To improve students’ conversational skills, like making plans, canceling plans, making travel plans, etc. in English, I recommend using the role-play activity through real-life practice conversations.
Here are 15 conversations designed for ESL students to practice making plans in English. These conversations categorized into lower intermediate, higher intermediate, and advanced levels, cover various formal and informal situations.
Table of Contents
Making Plans for a Weekend (Informal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Friends chatting about their weekend.
Amy: Hi Ben, what’s up for the weekend?
Ben: Maybe watch a movie at home.
Amy: Sounds good. We can watch it together.
Ben: Great! I like action movies.
Amy: Comedy-action works for me. What time?
Ben: Let’s start around 7 pm.
Amy: Perfect! Let’s order pizza too. I’m hungry.
Making Plans for a Study Session (Formal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Classmates planning to study together.
Sam: Hi Lily, want to study together?
Lily: Yes, please. I need help with math.
Sam: Let’s meet at the library on Wednesday.
Lily: Okay, thanks. What time?
Sam: How about 3 pm?
Lily: Perfect. See you there then.
Making Plans for a Dinner (Informal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Colleagues deciding to have dinner after work.
Jake: Hey Sara, dinner after work?
Sara: Sure, where?
Jake: Italian restaurant downtown at 7.
Sara: Love pasta. See you there!
Jake: Should we invite others from the office?
Sara: Yeah, let’s invite Tom and Emily.
Making Plans for Weekend Activities (Formal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Planning a weekend museum visit.
Chris: Maria, museum on Saturday?
Maria: Yes, meet at 10 am?
Chris: Perfect. Bringing lunch for a picnic?
Maria: Yes, see you then.
Chris: Do you prefer the morning or afternoon?
Maria: Morning works better for me.
Making Travel Plans (Informal)
Level: Low intermediate
Context: Friends organizing a beach trip.
Tom: Lucy, beach trip Saturday?
Lucy: Yes, catch the 9 am train?
Tom: Sure. Don’t forget sunscreen!
Lucy: What time should we leave home?
Tom: Let’s leave by 8:30 am.
Lucy: Got it. Can’t wait for the sun!
Making Travel Plans for a Group Vacation (Informal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Friends planning a group vacation during a casual gathering.
Emma: Hi everyone, should we plan our summer vacation together?
Max: Yeah, sounds like a great idea! Where should we go?
Sophia: How about a beach resort? I heard about a nice one.
Liam: Sounds cool. When do we want to go?
Emma: Maybe in August? It’s warm and the rates are lower.
Max: Works for me. How long should we stay?
Sophia: A week should be good, gives us time to relax.
Liam: Should we book flights early for better deals?
Emma: Definitely. I’ll look into it and send an email.
Organizing a Community Event (Formal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Members of a neighborhood association planning a community picnic.
Mr. Patel: Good afternoon, everyone. Let’s discuss the upcoming picnic.
Mrs. Garcia: Yes, we need to finalize the date and location.
Mr. Lee: How about the park on Elm Street? It’s spacious.
Mrs. Smith: Agreed. Shall we aim for mid-July?
Mr. Patel: Mid-July works. What activities should we organize?
Mrs. Garcia: How about a barbecue, games, and live music?
Mr. Lee: Sounds fun. We need volunteers for setup and cleanup.
Mrs. Smith: I’ll ask for volunteers at our next meeting.
Mr. Patel: Excellent. Let’s make this year’s picnic memorable.
Discussing Career Development Goals (Informal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Colleagues chatting during a coffee break about their career aspirations.
Alex: Hey, Tom. Have you thought about your career goals lately?
Tom: Yeah, I want to pursue a certification in project management.
Alex: That’s a solid plan. When do you plan to start?
Tom: Hopefully next month. How about you, Alex?
Alex: I’m considering taking some courses in digital marketing.
Tom: Interesting choice. Do you know where to find them?
Alex: There’s a reputable online platform I’ve been eyeing.
Tom: Let’s compare notes and support each other through the process.
Planning a Family Reunion (Formal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Family members discussing arrangements for an upcoming family reunion.
Uncle John: Good evening, everyone. Let’s talk about the family reunion.
Aunt Maria: Yes, we need to finalize the date and venue.
Cousin Sarah: How about hosting it at the lake house in September?
Uncle John: September sounds good. What about activities?
Aunt Maria: We can have a barbecue, games, and a talent show.
Cousin Sarah: Great ideas. Do we need to book accommodation nearby?
Uncle John: Yes, I’ll check availability and send out invitations.
Aunt Maria: Should we assign tasks to different family members?
Cousin Sarah: Good idea. Let’s create a list and delegate responsibilities.
Planning a Volunteer Project (Informal)
Level: High intermediate
Context: Friends discussing plans to volunteer at a local shelter during a gathering.
Emily: Hi everyone, remember we wanted to volunteer at the shelter?
Jake: Oh yeah, we should definitely do that. When can we start?
Sophie: How about next weekend? I checked, they need help then.
Ben: Sounds good. What kind of tasks do they need assistance with?
Emily: Mostly feeding and walking the dogs, and cleaning cages.
Jake: I’m okay with that. How long do we need to commit?
Sophie: They prefer a few hours each weekend, so it’s flexible.
Ben: Let’s organize a schedule and sign up together.
Planning a Company Retreat (Formal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Senior managers discussing arrangements for an upcoming company retreat over a video conference.
James: Good morning, team. Let’s discuss the agenda for our upcoming company retreat.
Anna: Morning, James. I suggest starting with team-building activities followed by strategy sessions.
Michael: Agreed. Shall we allocate time for individual department presentations too?
James: Yes, that’s essential for cross-functional understanding. Any suggestions for evening activities?
Anna: Perhaps a networking dinner with industry experts could be beneficial.
Michael: I concur. It fosters valuable connections and knowledge exchange. How about transportation logistics?
James: We’ll arrange a charter bus for convenience. Should we book accommodations near the venue?
Anna: Yes, proximity would optimize our time. What about dietary restrictions and preferences?
Michael: We’ll circulate a survey to gather that information. Let’s reconvene next week for updates.
James: Agreed. Thank you all for your valuable input.
Making Plans for a Wedding (Informal)
Level: Advanced
Context: A couple discussing details for their upcoming wedding at home.
Sophia: Hi, love. I’ve been thinking about our wedding plans.
Daniel: Me too. Let’s finalize the guest list and seating arrangements first.
Sophia: Agreed. I’ll call my parents to confirm their RSVPs.
Daniel: Should we hire a wedding planner or manage everything ourselves?
Sophia: I think we can handle it. We’re organized and have a clear vision.
Daniel: True. What about the ceremony music and floral arrangements?
Sophia: I’ll research vendors and get quotes by next week.
Daniel: Sounds good. Let’s also decide on the menu and cake flavors.
Sophia: Definitely. I’ll schedule tastings with caterers and bakeries.
Daniel: Can’t wait to celebrate our special day with our loved ones.
Planning a Business Expansion (Formal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Entrepreneurs discussing strategies for expanding their business during a board meeting.
Mr. Chen: Good afternoon, everyone. Let’s focus on our business expansion plans today.
Ms. Patel: Afternoon, Mr. Chen. Shall we explore new markets or diversify our product range?
Mr. Thompson: Both options have merit. Let’s conduct a SWOT analysis to guide our decision-making.
Ms. Garcia: Agreed. We should also assess the regulatory landscape and competitive positioning.
Mr. Chen: Excellent points. What about financing options for the expansion?
Ms. Patel: We can explore venture capital, bank loans, or strategic partnerships.
Mr. Thompson: I’ll prepare a comprehensive financial projection for each scenario.
Ms. Garcia: Should we establish key performance indicators to track our progress?
Mr. Chen: Yes, let’s define measurable targets aligned with our strategic objectives. Thank you all.
Making Plans for a Backpacking Trip (Informal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Friends discussing logistics for an upcoming backpacking trip over a meal at a café.
Nathan: Hey guys, let’s talk about our backpacking trip this summer.
Emily: Sure, Nathan. Do we have a route planned out yet?
Ben: Not yet. We should consider the Alps or the Appalachian Trail.
Nathan: Great suggestions. What about gear and supplies?
Emily: We’ll need lightweight tents, sleeping bags, and water purifiers.
Ben: Plus, adequate clothing layers and durable hiking boots.
Nathan: Agreed. Let’s also plan for emergency provisions and first aid kits.
Emily: Smart thinking. Should we divide responsibilities for food and navigation?
Ben: Definitely. I’ll handle the navigation, and Emily can take care of meal planning.
Nathan: Sounds like a plan. Let’s meet next week to finalize the details.
Discussing Retirement Plans (Formal)
Level: Advanced
Context: Financial advisors discussing retirement planning with clients during a consultation.
Mr. Johnson: Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Miller. Let’s delve into your retirement goals and strategies.
Mrs. Miller: Afternoon, Mr. Johnson. We aim to retire comfortably and travel extensively.
Mr. Miller: Yes, with a focus on maintaining our lifestyle and leaving a legacy.
Mr. Johnson: Excellent. Let’s review your current investment portfolio and asset allocation.
Mrs. Miller: We’re open to adjusting our investment mix to optimize returns and minimize risks.
Mr. Miller: Agreed. Should we explore alternative retirement income streams like annuities or rental properties?
Mr. Johnson: Yes, diversifying income sources can enhance financial security. We’ll assess the viability.
Mrs. Miller: What about tax-efficient strategies for withdrawals and estate planning?
Mr. Johnson: Vital considerations. We’ll tailor a comprehensive retirement plan to address your specific needs and objectives.
Mr. Miller: Thank you, Mr. Johnson. We appreciate your expertise and guidance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, practicing conversations about making plans is essential for ESL students to build confidence and fluency in expressing their aspirations.
With the help of resources like these 15 conversations tailored to different proficiency levels, students can effectively address challenges and make significant progress in mastering this important language skill.
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