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📕 A2: Grades 10-12 • JOBS & CAREERS

First Paycheck: Plans and Predictions

Learn to talk about your plans for your first salary using 'going to' and make predictions with 'will'. Practice with real-life scenarios.

First Paycheck: Plans and Predictions
💬 Warm-up
1 What is the first thing you want to buy with your first salary?
2 Do you usually save money or spend it right away?
3 What job do you want to have in the future?

🎯 Objectives

  • Use 'going to' to talk about future plans related to spending salary
  • Use 'will' to make predictions about income and expenses
  • Apply vocabulary: salary, earn, colleague, customer, tip, busy in context
In this block:

📚 Vocabulary

1.
salary
"She got a higher salary after her promotion."
The money you earn for your work each month.
2.
earn
"He earns $15 an hour at his part-time job."
To get money for work you do.
3.
colleague
"My colleague helped me with the project."
A person you work with.
4.
customer
"The customer asked for a refund."
A person who buys something from a shop or business.
5.
tip
"She left a big tip because the service was excellent."
Extra money you give to a waiter or service person.
6.
busy
"The restaurant was very busy on Friday night."
Having a lot of things to do.
🗓️ Friday, 9th October 2026
salary
The money you earn for your work each month.
earn
To get money for work you do.
colleague
A person you work with.
customer
A person who buys something from a shop or business.
tip
Extra money you give to a waiter or service person.
busy
Having a lot of things to do.

✍️ Practice

Guess the missing word.
1. The customer was happy with the service.
2. I want to earn enough money to travel.
3. The store is very busy on weekends.
4. She received a generous tip for her excellent service.
5. My first job pays a good salary so I can save for a car.
6. My colleague always helps me when I am busy.
🗓️ Friday, 9th October 2026
1. The customer was happy with the service.
2. I want to earn enough money to travel.
3. The store is very busy on weekends.
4. She received a generous tip for her excellent service.
5. My first job pays a good salary so I can save for a car.
6. My colleague always helps me when I am busy.

📖 Reading

My First Paycheck Plan

I just got my first job at a coffee shop. I am very excited about my first salary. I plan to earn about $1,000 a month. My colleague Anna works with me. We serve many customers every day. Sometimes, I get a tip for good service. The shop is very busy in the morning.

When I get my first paycheck, I have a clear plan. I am going to save 50% for a car. I am going to spend 30% on things like new clothes and a phone. I am going to give 10% to my family. The last 10% I will keep for fun. I think I will feel happy and responsible. My parents will be proud of me. They say I am going to learn a lot about money.

Comprehension Questions

1.
What is the writer's job?
The writer works at a coffee shop.
2.
How much does the writer earn per month?
The writer earns about $1,000 a month.
3.
What does the writer plan to do with 50% of the salary?
The writer is going to save 50% for a car.
4.
Who helps the writer at work?
The writer's colleague Anna helps at work.
5.
How does the writer think they will feel after getting the paycheck?
The writer thinks they will feel happy and responsible.

🎧 Listening Practice

Jessica's Summer Job Plan

0:00 / 0:00
Listening context

Comprehension Questions

1.
Where does Jessica work?
She works at a bookstore.
2.
How much is her first salary?
Her first salary is around $800.
3.
What is she going to buy for school?
She is going to buy a new laptop for school.
4.
Who is she going to treat to dinner?
She is going to treat her family to dinner.
5.
What does she predict about her future?
She predicts she will work hard and earn more money.

🗣️ Pair Work

Budget Planning with a Partner

"You and your partner just started jobs. Together, you earn $2,000 per month. Plan how to spend, save, and share this money. Use 'going to' for plans and 'will' for predictions. Include the vocabulary words: salary, earn, colleague, customer, tip, busy."

👉 1. Discuss with your partner how much you each earn. Use 'earn' and 'salary'.

👉 2. Decide on categories: savings, bills, fun, gifts. Use 'going to' for each plan.

👉 3. Make predictions about your future expenses using 'will'.

👉 4. Present your budget to the class.

🚀 EnglishDee Tasks

KEYWORDS: salary earn colleague customer tip busy
✍️ WRITING

First Paycheck

Write a plan for how you would spend, save, and share your first monthly salary. Use 'going to' for your plans and 'will' for your predictions. Write 80-100 words.

✅ Checklist:
  • Minimum 80 words.
  • Use at least 4 vocabulary words (salary, earn, colleague, customer, tip, busy).
  • Use 'going to' for at least two plans and 'will' for at least two predictions.
  • Structure: Start with your job and salary, then describe your plans in categories, end with a prediction.
🎙️ SPEAKING

Salary Decision

Record a 45-second talk explaining the smartest way to use your first salary. State your opinion clearly. Give 2-3 reasons with examples. Use 'going to' for your plans and 'will' for predictions.

✅ Checklist:
  • Duration: 45 seconds.
  • Use at least 3 vocabulary words.
  • Use 'going to' and 'will' naturally.
  • Speak clearly and at a natural pace.
  • Begin with your opinion, then explain your reasons, end with a prediction.
Helpful Phrases
  • I think the smartest way is to...
  • I am going to save... because...
  • I will probably...
  • My colleagues suggest...
  • For example, if I earn...
  • In the future, I will...