Read the article about setting goals. Comment on the advice given. Then complete the worksheet for yourself, using future time clauses.

GO FOR IT!!!!

What are your dreams for your future? Are you going to get your degree by the time you are twenty-two? Will you start your own business before you turn forty?

We all have dreams, but they won’t become really until we change them to goals. Here’s how:

· Put your dreams on paper.

When you write your dream down, it will start to become a goal. Your path will be a lot clearer.

· Now list your benefits.

For example, Latoya Jones is going to go back to university as soon as she saves enough money. One benefit: she’ll get the job she wants when she has her degree. When things get tough, Latoya will read her list and remember the benefits.

· Write down smaller goals.

It’s easier to reach a goal when you break it down into steps. Before Latoya applies, she’s going to look at university catalogs. She won’t decide on a school until she visits several of them.

· Act today.

Will you watch TV before dinner tonight or read university catalogs? After you know your smaller goals, it will be easier to make these small decisions every day.

GOAL PLANNING WORKSHEET

I. Write your major goal. (e.g. I’ll get a highly-paid job after I graduate) II. List three benefits of achieving your goal. (e.g. When I get a highly-paid job, I’ll have enough money to buy a car)   III. How will you reach your goal? Write down smaller goals. (e.g. Before I have a job interview, I’ll improve my computer skills)

Pre-writing task 4

Read the extracts, identify each person’s problem, then read the advice Auntie Claire gives each one of them. Which piece of advice matches each problem? Write a short essay mentioning the problems of the people and their possible solutions.

A

I moved to London with my family a month ago. I haven’t made any new friends yet and I miss my old friends. I’m going to start at my new school next week but I don’t want to. I’m afraid my new schoolmates will tease me because of my accent. I think I’ll be miserable there. I want to go back to my village. What can I do?

B

I’m a working mother with a two-month-old son. My house is very far from my workplace. If I carry on working there, I‘ll miss out on the pleasure of spending time with my son. I’m thinking of applying for a part-time job in a place which is much nearer, but if I get the job, I’ll earn a lot less money and I’ll have no chance of promotion. Could you please help me?

C

I am 65 and I have always been kept busy with my shop, but I will be retiring in February, so I’m not going to have anything to do. I’m an active person and it will be impossible for me to sit around the house. If I spend my time just going on pensioners’ trips or walk s in the park, I’ll feel useless. Any ideas?

 

Auntie Claire writes:

The best thing you can do is to stop worrying. There are so many things you can do to feel useful. How about taking up a hobby which you never had time for before? You could also do some work for charities and help others with your experience and abilities.

You ought to think about what is best for your family. If you can afford to live on less money, then you should apply for a part-time job. This will be much better for you because you’ll have much more time for your son. Alternatively, if your present workplace has got a child-minding centre for its employees’ children, I strongly advise you to stay. In this way you’ll be close to your son and you can also seek promotion. Hope this advice is of some help to you.

I don’t think you should worry so much. Why don’t you join a gym? You’ll make lots of friends there. If I were you, I wouldn’t be afraid of starting at the new school. If you go there with a positive attitude, I’m sure that everything will be OK.

 

Pre-writing task 5

Read the story. Put the verbs in brackets in the correct tense. What could you advise a person who thought his/her life was boring? Write a short essay.

A sad story of a sad man

One Sunday evening two men ________ (meet) in a London pub. One of them looked very unhappy.

”Life is terrible, everything in the world is really boring,’ he said.

“Don’t say that,” said the other man. “Life is marvelous! The world is so exciting! Think about Italy. It’s a wonderful country! _____ you ever ______ (be) there?”

“Oh, yes. I _____ (go) there last year and I ______ (not like) it.”

“Well, __ you __ (be) to Norway? _____ you ever ____ (admire) the midnight sun?”

“Oh, yes. I _____ (visit) that country in 1997 and I ______ (see) the midnight sun.I ____ (not enjoy) it.

“Well, I _____ just ____ (return) from a safari in Africa. ______ you ____ (travel) in Africa yet?”

“Yes, I _______ (go) on safari in Africa last year and I _______ (climb) Mount Kilimanjaro. I _______ (feel) exhausting. It was really boring.”

“Well,’ said the other man. “I think that you’re very ill. Only the best psychologist can help you. Go to see

Dr. Greenbaum in Harley Street.”

“I am Dr. Greenbaum.” answered the man sadly.