Tom: Hi, I’m Tom. At the end of every podcast you’ll hear from me. I’m going to talk about some of the language you heard in the programmes and talk about ways to help you learn English. Remember Carolina in the airport? Listen to part of her conversation again.
Immigration Officer: Is this your first visit to the UK? Carolina: Yes it is. Immigration Officer: And what are you going to do here? Carolina: I’m a student. I’m going to study at the University of Newcastle.
Tom: Carolina and the Immigration Officer are talking about the future – Carolina’s time in Britain. To talk about the future they both use ‘going to’. The Immigration Officer says “And what are you going to do here?” and Carolina says “I’m going to study at the University of Newcastle”. They both used ‘going to’ to talk about the future because they are talking about plans. When the Immigration Officer says “What are you going to do here?” he’s asking Carolina what her plan is. And she says “I’m going to study” because that’s her plan – she decided it before she left Venezuela. So, we use ‘going to’ to talk about future plans. But listen to another part of Carolina’s conversation.
Immigration Officer: Thank you. And how long is the course? How long do you intend to stay in the country? Carolina: Three years. Immigration Officer: Three years. Hmm. Carolina: Yes, that’s right. Immigration Officer: Do you intend to work in this country? Carolina: Oh no, no, I’m not going to work, well maybe in the university holidays, but the British Embassy in Caracas said that was OK.
Tom: The Immigration Officer said “How long do you intend to stay in the country?” and “Do you intend to work in this country?” Again he was asking about Carolina’s future plans – but he said “Do you intend”. “Intend” is a formal way to talk or ask about plans. You might hear this verb, “intend”, at an airport immigration desk or on an immigration form. It’s another way to ask about your plans.