RCF EnglishEnglish learning and teaching
RCF Publications
ESL Lesson Plan · CEFR C1

Formal Future Forms ESL Lesson Plan (C1, 60 Minutes)

A complete 60-minute C1 lesson on Formal Future Forms, built round the theme "Writing a Press Release".

  • CEFR C1
  • 60 minutes
  • Teenagers and adults
  • Grammar
  • Future Forms
  • Formal Future Forms

About this lesson

Who it is for. Advanced students who use will and going to well but whose formal writing sounds conversational. They don't know be to, be due to, be set to or the future in the past (was to, would).

Everything the lesson needs is on this page: the language analysis, the timed stages with the teacher's own words and instruction-checking questions, the differentiation, the printable handouts and the answer key.

At a glance

Level
CEFR C1 (Advanced)
Learners
Teenagers and adults
Length
60 minutes. For 45 minutes, run "Freer practice" once through without the second round and cut "Feedback and wrap-up" to board-based error correction.
Skills
Writing
Language focus
Grammar: Formal Future Forms (be to, be due to, be set to, Future in the Past)
Framework
PPP (presentation, practice, production)
Materials
Handout 1 (two notices), Handout 2 (texts for analysis), Handout 3 (practice), Handout 4 (writing task: a press release).
Preparation
About 10 minutes: print Handouts 1 to 4, one per learner, and read the language analysis. The answer key is for you, not the class.

Aims

Main aim. To develop students' use of formal future forms in official announcements, news and biography.

Learning outcome. By the end of the lesson, students can write a press release announcing an event using at least five formal future forms, and a short biography paragraph using the future in the past.

  • Subsidiary aim. To develop collaborative writing.
  • Subsidiary aim. To raise awareness of register.

Language analysis

What to know before the lesson: the meaning, form and pronunciation of the target language, and the problems learners usually have with it.

Form and use

FormMeaning / useExample
be to + infinitiveOfficial arrangement or plan; instructions; formalThe President is to visit Jaffna next month. Students are to report to the hall at 8.
be due to + infinitiveExpected according to a scheduleThe new bridge is due to open in May.
be set to + infinitiveLikely / ready to happen (news style)The company is set to announce job cuts.
be on the point / verge of + -ingAbout to happen very soonThe talks are on the verge of collapsing.
be about to + infinitiveVery near futureThe ceremony is about to begin.
Future in the past: was / were going to, would, was toA future seen from a past viewpoint; was to often = destinyNobody knew then that she was to become a famous scientist. He said he would call.
Should + subject (inversion)Formal conditional for future possibilityShould you require assistance, please contact reception.

Register

  • These forms are typical of news, official notices, formal letters and biographies. In conversation they sound stiff: I'm to have pizza tonight ✗ → I'm having pizza tonight.

Pronunciation

  • Weak to: is to visit /ɪz tə ˈvɪzɪt/; was to become /wəz tə bɪˈkʌm/.

Concept-checking questions

  • The President is to visit Jaffna next month. Is this an official plan? (Yes.) · Would you hear this in a casual chat? (Not usually; in the news.)
  • Nobody knew then that she was to become famous. Did she become famous? (Yes.) · Is the writer looking at the future from a point in the past? (Yes.)

Anticipated problems and solutions

ProblemSolution
be to + -ing (is to visiting).Board: be to + base verb.
Using formal forms in casual contexts.Register sorting task in analysis.
Should you will need ...Highlight: Should + subject + base verb.
Confusing due to (because of) and be due to (scheduled).Contrast two examples.

Board plan

Left: registerCentre: patternsRight: meaning
FORMAL: news, notices, press releases, biographies · INFORMAL: conversation, messages
be to + inf · be due to + inf · be set to + inf · be on the verge of + -ing · be about to + inf · was to + inf · Should + S + inf
official plan / instruction · scheduled · likely (news) · very soon · very near future · destiny (biography) · formal if

CEFR C1 · 60 minutes · Teenagers and adults

Procedure: Formal Future Forms, step by step

Warm-up5 minutes · Whole class, pairs

Aim: To raise awareness of register.

Give out Handout 1. Read the two notices about the same event (a casual message and an official notice).

Ask: "Where would you see each one? Which words make the second one sound official?" Pairs discuss (2 minutes). Take ideas; don't name the grammar yet.

Presentation20 minutes · Groups, whole class

Aim: To present formal future forms in authentic-style texts and clarify their meaning, form and register.

Part A: Analysis (9 minutes)

Give out Handout 2 (a government press release and a biography extract). Say: "In groups, find all the future forms and answer the questions."

ICQs: "How many texts?" (Two.) "What do you look for?" (Future forms.)

Monitor and help.

Part B: Clarification (11 minutes)

Feedback. Build the patterns and meanings on the board.

Contrast: be to (official arrangement or instruction), be due to (scheduled), be set to (likely, news style), be on the verge of (very soon), was to (future seen from the past; often destiny in biographies).

Ask the CCQs from the Language analysis.

Highlight Should you require ... = If you require ... and its word order.

Return to Notice B on Handout 1 and identify each form.

Point out register: "Would you say 'I'm to have pizza tonight' to a friend?" (No.)

Controlled practice10 minutes · Individual, then pairs, then whole class

Aim: To practise the forms accurately.

Give out Handout 3. Say: "Exercise A: rewrite in a more formal style using the word given. Six minutes."

Pairs check. Feedback as a class.

Students start Exercise B (biography paragraph); they finish it for homework.

Freer practice18 minutes · Groups of three, then whole class

Aim: To use formal future forms in an authentic writing task.

Give out Handout 4. Say: "Your school is holding a major event. Write an official press release (120–150 words) announcing it. Use at least five formal future forms."

ICQs: "Formal or informal?" (Formal.) "How many formal future forms?" (At least five.)

Groups choose an event, decide the details and write (12 minutes).

Groups read their press releases aloud. The class votes for the most professional one (6 minutes).

Monitor and note language use.

Feedback and wrap-up7 minutes · Whole class

Aim: To give feedback and consolidate.

Board the most effective lines and one or two sentences with errors. Students correct them.

Ask: "Which forms would you use in an email to a friend? Which would you avoid?"

Set the homework.

Homework Finish the biography paragraph (Handout 3, Exercise B). Then write a 200-word press release for a real or invented event.

PPP (presentation, practice, production). Stage times add up to 60 minutes.

Differentiation

Support
Provide a press release template with gaps. Give a pattern card.
Stretch
Stronger students include be on the verge of, Should you ... and a passive (is to be opened by). They rewrite a casual email as an official notice.

Adapting the lesson

ForWhat to change
A large class (40 or more)Keep the pairwork in "Freer practice" in fixed pairs rather than a mingle, and take feedback from four or five pairs instead of the whole room. Monitor one half of the room during "Controlled practice" and the other half during "Freer practice".
A class with no photocopierPut the exercises from Handout 3: Practice on the board for learners to copy into their notebooks, and read any text aloud twice instead of printing it. The board plan above is this lesson's minimum - with that on the board, it runs on no paper at all.
An online classSend Handouts 1 to 4 in the chat before the lesson and put the board plan on a shared slide. Use breakout rooms for the pairwork in "Freer practice" and visit each room once. Have learners type the controlled answers in the chat, so you see every answer at once instead of nominating.
A different age groupWith teenagers at this level, cut the academic framing and keep the examples in their own world; the forms do not change. With adults in a work context, swap the lesson's texts for ones from their own field and keep the analysis as it stands.

Checking learning

The press release uses at least five formal future forms accurately. The register is consistent throughout. 7 out of 8 or better on Handout 3, Exercise A.

Teacher's reflection

Did students notice the difference in register? Which forms appeared most in the press releases?

Handout 1: Two Notices

Notice A (a message in the class WhatsApp group)

Hey everyone! The new library's opening next Friday at 10. The minister's coming to cut the ribbon, apparently! Be there by 9.30, OK? If you need anything, just ask me.

Notice B (an official notice)

The new school library is to be officially opened on Friday 14 March at 10.00 am. The Minister of Education is due to attend the ceremony and is set to announce a new national reading programme. All students are to assemble in the main hall by 9.30 am. Should you require any further information, please contact the school office.

Discuss: Where would you see each notice? Which words and phrases make Notice B sound official?

Handout 2: Texts for Analysis

Text 1: Government press release

NEW EXPRESSWAY TO OPEN IN JUNE The Southern Link Expressway is due to open to the public on 1 June. The President is to perform the opening ceremony, and the Minister of Transport is set to announce plans for a second phase. Construction is on the verge of being completed, ahead of schedule. Drivers are to use the new toll system from the first day. Should you have any questions, please call the Road Development Authority.

Text 2: Biography extract

In 1960, a young woman from Colombo became the world's first female prime minister. At the time, few people imagined that she was to lead the country for three separate terms. She would later say that she had never planned a life in politics. Her daughter, too, was to become a national leader.

Questions

  • Find four formal future forms in Text 1. What does each one mean? ______________________________
  • Which form in Text 1 gives an instruction? ______________________________
  • What is the meaning of Should you have any questions? ______________________________
  • In Text 2, when is the writer "standing" in time? What does was to lead mean? ______________________________
  • Find an example of would used for the future in the past. ______________________________

Handout 3: Practice

Name: ______________________________ Date: ______________

A. Rewrite in a more formal style using the word given.

B. Write a short biography paragraph (60 words) about a famous person. Use was to, would and was going to.

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

  • The Minister plans to visit the school next week. (is) → ______________________________
  • The new library will probably open in June. (due) → ______________________________
  • The company will soon announce job cuts. (set) → ______________________________
  • If you need any help, please contact us. (Should) → ______________________________
  • Nobody knew then that he would later become president. (was) → ______________________________
  • The two sides have almost reached an agreement. (verge) → ______________________________
  • All visitors must sign in at reception. (are) → ______________________________
  • The ceremony will begin in a moment. (about) → ______________________________

Handout 4: Writing Task

Write an official press release (120–150 words) announcing a major event at your school.

Choose one event:

Include:

Your draft:

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

  • a national science fair
  • the opening of a new sports complex
  • a visit by a famous author
  • a charity run for flood victims
  • what, when and where the event is
  • who is expected to attend
  • the programme
  • instructions for visitors
  • a contact line at the end

Answer Key

Handout 2

Handout 3, Exercise A

Common errors to watch for

  • is due to open (scheduled); is to perform (official arrangement); is set to announce (likely, news style); is on the verge of being completed (very soon); are to use (instruction)
  • Drivers are to use the new toll system.
  • If you have any questions.
  • In 1960, looking forward. was to lead = would later lead (it really happened).
  • She would later say ...
  • The Minister is to visit the school next week. · 2. The new library is due to open in June. · 3. The company is set to announce job cuts. · 4. Should you need any help, please contact us. · 5. Nobody knew then that he was to become president. · 6. The two sides are on the verge of reaching an agreement. · 7. All visitors are to sign in at reception. · 8. The ceremony is about to begin.
ErrorCorrection
The President is to visiting Galle.The President is to visit Galle.
Should you will need help ...Should you need help ...
I'm to have pizza tonight. (casual)I'm having pizza tonight.
The bridge is due opening in May.The bridge is due to open in May.

Prints without the site's menus or advertisements.

About this lesson plan

Written by RCF English to the RCF English international standard: levelled by the CEFR, original throughout, and suitable for classrooms in any country. Last reviewed 22 September 2026.

Share this lesson plan

More future forms plans

Be Going To for Plans (A1)

PPP, 60 minutes. The same unit at A1.

Will vs Going To (A2)

PPP, 60 minutes. The same unit at A2.

Present Forms for the Future (B1)

PPP, 60 minutes. The same unit at B1.

All future forms plans

Every level on this topic, A1 to C1.

All ESL lesson plans

Every plan, by level.

ESL worksheets

Printable worksheets with answer keys.

Back to Future Forms