Future study plans (Edexcel GCSE French): Revision Notes
Future study plans
Key vocabulary for future studies
Understanding vocabulary related to future study plans is essential when discussing your aspirations and career goals in French. These terms will help you express your educational ambitions and professional objectives effectively in various contexts.
| French Term | English Translation |
|---|---|
| argent (m) | money |
| études (fpl) | studies |
| étudiant(e) (m/f) | student |
| étudier | to study |
| examen (m) | exam |
| formation (f) | training, apprenticeship |
| futur (m) / avenir (m) | future |
| lycée (m) | sixth form college |
| passer un examen | to take an exam |
| projet (m) | plan |
| French Term | English Translation |
|---|---|
| réussir (à) | to succeed in, pass an exam |
| travail (m) | work |
| université (f) | university |
| apprenti(e) (m/f) | apprentice |
| bourse (f) | scholarship, grant |
| emploi (m) | employment |
These vocabulary terms form the foundation for discussing educational pathways, from basic studies to professional training and university education. Pay particular attention to the gender markers (m/f) as they're crucial for proper French grammar.
Example sentences using future study vocabulary
Je vais continuer mes études au lycée. (I am going to continue my studies at sixth form college.)
Elle veut passer un examen important l'année prochaine. (She wants to take an important exam next year.)
Nous cherchons une formation en technologie. (We are looking for training in technology.)
Il espère réussir à ses examens pour aller à l'université. (He hopes to pass his exams to go to university.)
Grammar focus: the future tense with regular verbs
When discussing future study plans, you'll frequently use the future tense. This tense corresponds to the English "shall" or "will" and allows you to express what you plan to do or what will happen in your educational journey.
Forming the future tense
The future tense is formed differently depending on whether the verb ends in -er/-ir or -re. Understanding this distinction is crucial for accurate conjugation.
-er and -ir verbs
For these verbs, simply add the future tense endings directly to the infinitive form:
| Person | Étudier (to study) | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| je | j'étudierai | I will study |
| tu | tu étudieras | you will study |
| il/elle/on | il/elle/on étudiera | he/she/one will study |
| nous | nous étudierons | we will study |
| vous | vous étudierez | you will study |
| ils/elles | ils/elles étudieront | they will study |
-re verbs
For verbs ending in -re, remove the final -e from the infinitive before adding the same endings:
| Person | Attendre (to wait) | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| je | j'attendrai | I will wait |
| tu | tu attendras | you will wait |
| il/elle/on | il/elle/on attendra | he/she/one will wait |
| nous | nous attendrons | we will wait |
| vous | vous attendrez | you will wait |
| ils/elles | ils/elles attendront | they will wait |
Future tense endings to remember: The endings are the same for all regular verbs: -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont
These endings never change, regardless of the verb type, making them easier to memorise once you understand the pattern.
Practical application: discussing future plans
When talking about your future study plans, real conversations often involve expressing both certainty and uncertainty about educational paths. Students frequently discuss their aspirations while acknowledging they haven't made final decisions yet.
Worked Example: Student Dialogue
Clara: Je vais continuer mes études au lycée et après, je voudrais aller à l'université. (I'm going to continue my studies at sixth form and afterwards, I would like to go to university.)
Ahmed: Pour étudier la technologie comme moi? (To study technology like me?)
Clara: Non, mais je ne sais pas quoi faire. (No, but I don't know what to do.)
This dialogue demonstrates how students typically express both their educational goals and their honest uncertainty about specific career paths.
Translation practice
French to English:
- Si je travaille dur, je réussirai à mes examens.
- Mon frère étudiera les maths à l'université.
English to French:
- She will continue her training next year.
- We will take our exams in June.
Answers:
- If I work hard, I will pass my exams. / My brother will study maths at university.
- Elle continuera sa formation l'année prochaine. / Nous passerons nos examens en juin.
Exam tips
Preparing for French assessments requires strategic attention to specific areas where future study vocabulary and grammar commonly appear.
Critical Exam Strategies:
- Listen carefully to conversations about future plans, as questions often focus on specific details about what people intend to study or their career goals
- Pay attention to future tense verb forms when reading comprehension texts about educational aspirations
- Practice forming the future tense with both -er/-ir and -re verbs, as this is frequently tested
- Remember that context is crucial - even if you don't understand every word, the overall meaning of future study plans should be clear
Key Points to Remember:
- Future study vocabulary covers education, career paths, and professional training terms that are essential for discussing aspirations
- The future tense for regular verbs is formed by adding -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont to the infinitive (for -er/-ir verbs) or to the infinitive minus the final -e (for -re verbs)
- Context clues in conversations and texts will help you understand specific study plans even when vocabulary is unfamiliar
- Practice listening to dialogues about educational goals, as this topic frequently appears in GCSE French assessments
- Use future tense confidently when expressing your own study plans and career ambitions in speaking and writing tasks