English For Cool Dudes

🔮 The Future: German Hopes & Fears

Pre-Intermediate (A2) | Topic: Feelings & Future

📺 1. Watch & Learn

Time: 6 mins

Reading

When we start a new year, we think about the future. Do we feel happy or worried about tomorrow? Germans have different feelings about the future.

In Germany, only 40% of people feel positive about next year. They hope for good things, but many people have problems. What are their biggest worries? Money, climate, and technology.

Many Germans think the world is changing too fast. Some people like new technology, but others think it is dangerous. One third of Germans believe artificial intelligence (AI) is bad for society.

In different years, Germans worry about different things. In 2003, they worried about terrorism. In 2010, they worried about money and banks. But during COVID-19, Germans stayed calm and were very strong.

When we make New Year's plans, we think: are we ready for problems, or are we hoping for a better future?

🔗 2. Vocabulary Memory Match

Match the word to its meaning. Correct pairs will disappear!

❓ 3. Comprehension Check

Watch the video and choose the correct answer.

1. How many Germans feel positive about the future?

  • 50% feel positive
  • 40% feel positive
  • 75% feel positive

2. What do many Germans think about change?

  • The world is changing too fast
  • Change is too slow
  • They want more change

3. How did Germans feel during COVID-19?

  • They were very scared
  • They stayed calm
  • They had the most fear ever

📝 4. Complete the Sentences

Use the words from the word bank to complete the sentences.

Word Bank

happy worried hope changing calm ready

1. I am ____ because tomorrow is my birthday!

2. My mother is ____ about my exam results.

3. I ____ the weather will be nice this weekend.

4. The world is ____ very quickly with new technology.

5. Please stay ____ - everything will be okay!

6. Are you ____ for the test tomorrow?

📖 5. Grammar Focus: Talking About the Future

💡 Simple Ways to Talk About the Future

We can use different words to talk about the future:

WILL - For quick decisions and weak predictions/guesses
"I think it will rain tomorrow."
"I will help you with your homework."
PRESENT CONTINUOUS - For definite arrangements
"We're meeting at 3pm."
"I'm starting my new job on Monday."
BE GOING TO + infinitive - Plans, intentions, strong/likely predictions
"I'm going to exercise more this year."
"Germans are going to face economic challenges."
"The weather forecast says it's going to snow later tonight."

🎯 Practice: Choose the Correct Form

Select the best answer for each sentence.

1. "This year, I _______ exercise more." (New Year's plan)

  • will
  • am going to
  • exercise

2. "Look at the sky! It _______ rain." (Prediction)

  • is going to
  • will
  • rains

3. "We _______ by train tomorrow at 4pm." (Definite arrangement)

  • travel
  • are going to travel
  • are travelling

4. "Don't worry, I _______ help you!" (Quick decision)

  • will
  • am going to
  • am helping

🎉 Lesson Complete!

Great job! Here are the words you learned today:

  • Happy
  • Worried
  • Hope
  • Problems
  • Changing
  • Calm
  • Strong
  • Ready

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