IELTS Speaking Practice: Future Plans and Aspirations

Absolutely. I’m currently pursuing a master’s in environmental engineering, and my goal is to work on sustainable urban development projects. I’m particularly interested in green infrastructure and hope to contribute to innovative solutions for climate-resilient cities.

Useful language:pursuing a master’sgreen infrastructureclimate-resilient

I have, yes. Ideally I’d like to spend a few years working abroad, perhaps in Canada or the Netherlands, to gain international experience. But in the long run I can see myself coming back to my home city to be close to my family.

Useful language:gain international experiencein the long runI can see myself

My immediate aim is to get a high enough IELTS score to apply for a postgraduate programme abroad. After that, I’d like to complete a master’s degree and possibly some professional certifications in project management.

Useful language:my immediate aimpostgraduate programmeprofessional certifications

Yes, a few. Apart from English, I want to improve my public speaking, because I get quite nervous presenting in front of large groups. I’m also learning basic coding, which I think will be useful in almost any career.

Useful language:apart frompublic speakinguseful in almost any career

I usually set a few big goals for the year and then break them down into smaller monthly targets. I write them in a notebook and review them every few weeks, which helps me see whether I’m actually making progress.

Useful language:break them down intomaking progress

Mainly the idea of independence — I want to build a career that gives me choices about where and how I live. My parents also made a lot of sacrifices for my education, so I feel motivated to make the most of the opportunities they gave me.

Useful language:independencemade sacrificesmake the most of

A bit of both. I like having a clear direction, but I try not to plan every detail, because things rarely go exactly as expected. I’d say I make firm plans for the next year and keep the longer term flexible.

Useful language:a clear directionrarely go as expectedkeep … flexible

One of my most significant personal goals is to establish a sustainable community garden project in my hometown. Over the past year, I’ve been researching urban agriculture and consulting with local environmental groups. My primary motivation stems from addressing food insecurity and promoting community resilience.

I’ve already begun by mapping potential sites and developing a preliminary proposal. I’m currently taking online courses in sustainable agriculture and community development to enhance my skills. The project would involve converting unused urban spaces into productive gardens, where local residents can grow fresh produce and learn about sustainable farming techniques.

By achieving this goal, I hope to not only provide fresh, affordable food to underserved communities but also create a model for urban sustainability that could be replicated in other cities. It’s a challenging objective that requires careful planning, community engagement, and persistent effort, but I’m committed to making a tangible difference in my community’s environmental and social landscape.

Useful language:stems fromfood insecuritya preliminary proposalunderserved communitiesreplicateda tangible difference

Long-term planning is crucial, but not in a rigid, inflexible manner. While having a clear vision provides direction and motivation, success also requires adaptability. Take the technology sector: professionals who carefully planned their careers a decade ago could not have anticipated the rise of artificial intelligence. So effective long-term planning isn’t about creating a fixed roadmap, but a flexible framework that allows for continuous learning and adjustment.

Useful language:rigida clear visionadaptabilityanticipateda flexible framework

I believe people can control their future to a considerable extent, but not completely. Our choices about education, work and health clearly shape our lives. However, factors like the economy, the family we’re born into, or unexpected events such as illness are largely outside our control. So I’d say we control our effort and decisions, while circumstances determine how far those decisions can take us.

Useful language:to a considerable extentoutside our controlcircumstances

Quite strongly. In some cultures, decisions about education or marriage are made collectively with the family, so plans reflect everyone’s expectations, not just the individual’s. In more individualistic cultures, people are encouraged to follow personal ambitions. Attitudes to risk also differ — some cultures value job security, while others celebrate entrepreneurship and taking chances.

Useful language:collectivelyindividualisticattitudes to riskentrepreneurship

I’d say values are the foundation of meaningful goals. Someone who values security might aim for a stable job and owning a home, while someone who values freedom might prioritise travel or self-employment. Goals that conflict with our values are hard to stick to, and even if we achieve them, they rarely bring real satisfaction.

Useful language:the foundation ofprioritisestick toreal satisfaction

Technology will change which careers people aim for. Some jobs that are popular today may be automated, while new roles — in data, AI or renewable energy, for example — will appear. As a result, I think young people will aspire less to a single lifelong career and more to building flexible skills, like problem-solving and digital literacy, that they can transfer between jobs.

Useful language:automatedaspire toa single lifelong careertransfer between jobs

Yes, definitely. Previous generations often expected to stay with one employer for decades, so planning was quite linear. Young people today expect to change jobs frequently and may combine several income sources, such as a main job and freelance work. They also tend to delay traditional milestones like buying a home, partly because of high living costs.

Useful language:linearincome sourcesdelay milestonesliving costs

The main benefit is focus: a detailed plan helps people stay disciplined and measure their progress. The drawback is that rigid plans can make people blind to better opportunities, and when life doesn’t follow the plan — which it often doesn’t — they may feel they’ve failed. A more balanced approach is to be firm about goals but flexible about how to reach them.

Useful language:stay disciplinedblind tofirm about … flexible about

Economic conditions have a big influence. During a recession, people tend to plan more cautiously — they choose secure jobs, save more and postpone big decisions like starting a business or a family. When the economy is strong, people feel more confident taking risks, such as changing careers or studying abroad. High housing and education costs today also force many people to plan further ahead than earlier generations did.

Useful language:a recessioncautiouslypostponetaking risksplan further ahead