Bucket list
Bucketlist
- Talk about your bucket list and future plans
Learn to talk about your future wishes and plans in German using key expressions like Wunschliste (wish list), Träume (dreams), and Zukunftspläne (future plans). Practice modal verbs and Konjunktiv II forms to express hopes and hypothetical situations effectively.
Vocabulary (13) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Übung 1: Conversation exercise
Anleitung:
- What did you want to be when you were a child? (What did you want to be when you were a child?)
- What plans do you have for the future? Would you like to change your job anytime soon? (What plans do you have for the future? Would you like to change your job anytime soon?)
- How will you accomplish them? (How will you accomplish them?)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
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Als ich klein war, wollte ich Feuerwehrmann werden. When I was little I wanted to become a firefighter. |
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Als Kind träumte ich davon, Arzt zu werden. As a child I dreamed of becoming a doctor. |
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Ich möchte in Zukunft mehr Verantwortung in meinem Beruf übernehmen. I want to have more responsibility in my job in the future. |
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Ich möchte in ein paar Jahren der Chef meines Unternehmens sein. I want to be the boss of my company in a few years. |
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Ich möchte bald meinen Beruf wechseln, da ich mit meinem aktuellen Job unzufrieden bin. I would like to change my profession soon because I am not happy with my current job. |
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Ich werde wieder zur Universität gehen, um Lehrer zu werden. I will go to university again to become a teacher. |
| ... |
Exercise 2: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 3: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Bevor ich sterbe, ______ ich gern eine Weltreise machen.
(Before I die, ______ I would like to go on a world trip.)2. Wenn ich Zeit hätte, ______ ich mehr Erfahrungen sammeln.
(If I had time, ______ I would gain more experience.)3. Ich denke, ich ______ viele Wünsche erfüllen, wenn ich mehr Geld hätte.
(I think I ______ could fulfill many wishes if I had more money.)4. Ich ______ es, meine Träume zu verwirklichen, wenn ich hart arbeite.
(I ______ manage to realize my dreams if I work hard.)Exercise 4: My Wishlist for the Future
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Sein - To be
Konjunktiv II Präsens
- ich wäre
- du wär(e)st
- er/sie/es wäre
- wir wären
- ihr wär(e)t
- sie/Sie wären
Mögen - To like
Konjunktiv II Präsens
- ich möchte
- du möchtest
- er/sie/es möchte
- wir möchten
- ihr möchtet
- sie/Sie möchten
Haben - To have
Konjunktiv II Präsens
- ich hätte
- du hättest
- er/sie/es hätte
- wir hätten
- ihr hättet
- sie/Sie hätten
Schaffen - To manage
Konjunktiv II Präsens mit würde
- ich würde schaffen
- du würdest schaffen
- er/sie/es würde schaffen
- wir würden schaffen
- ihr würdet schaffen
- sie/Sie würden schaffen
Denken - To think
Präsens
- ich denke
- du denkst
- er/sie/es denkt
- wir denken
- ihr denkt
- sie/Sie denken
Grammar Share Copied!
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Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Sein to be Share Copied!
Konjunktiv II Präsens
| German | English |
|---|---|
| (ich) wäre | I would be |
| (du) wärst | you would be |
| (er/sie/es) wäre | he/she/it would be |
| (wir) wären | we would be |
| (ihr) wäret | you would be |
| (sie) wären | they would be |
Mögen may Share Copied!
Konjunktiv II Präsens
| German | English |
|---|---|
| (ich) möchte | I would be allowed |
| (du) möchtest | You would be allowed |
| (er/sie/es) möchte | he would like |
| (wir) möchten | we would like to be allowed |
| (ihr) möchtet | you would be allowed |
| (sie) möchten | they would be allowed |
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Lesson Overview: Talking About Your Bucket List and Future Plans in German
This lesson focuses on expressing wishes, dreams, and future plans in German. It is aimed at A2 level learners who want to practice conversational skills in everyday and work contexts, discussing personal goals and aspirations.
Key Themes and Situations
- Discussing wishes and future plans at the office
- Talking about dreams during dinner conversations
- Asking about future plans at a party
Language Highlights
The lesson emphasizes useful expressions and vocabulary related to desires and plans, including phrases like "Was steht auf deiner Wunschliste?" (What is on your bucket list?) and "Ich möchte gern..." (I would like to...). Important modals such as möchten (would like), and key verbs in the subjunctive II (Konjunktiv II) mood are presented, expressing hypothetical or desired actions.
Grammar Focus: Subjunctive II (Konjunktiv II)
The subjunctive II is introduced primarily through verbs like wäre (would be), hätte (would have), würde (would), and others. It is used here to express wishes, hypotheticals, and polite desires. For example, "Bevor ich sterbe, würde ich gern eine Weltreise machen." (Before I die, I would like to make a world trip.)
Useful Vocabulary
- Wunschliste – bucket list or wish list
- Zukunftspläne – future plans
- träumen – to dream
- kulturen kennenlernen – to get to know cultures
- Erfahrungen sammeln – to gain experiences
Practical Phrases for Conversation
- Was steht auf deiner Wunschliste? — What is on your bucket list?
- Ich möchte gerne... — I would like to...
- Hast du Pläne für die Zukunft? — Do you have plans for the future?
- Das klingt spannend! — That sounds exciting!
Differences Between English and German in Expressing Wishes
In German, the Konjunktiv II (subjunctive II) mood plays a central role in expressing wishes and hypothetical situations, often formed with würde + infinitive or specific subjunctive verb forms like wäre or hätte. In English, this is translated as "would" or conditional forms. For example, Ich würde gern reisen translates as "I would like to travel." This lesson helps learners get comfortable with these forms to express polite desires and future intentions.
Some useful phrases to remember include: "Ich möchte..." for polite requests or wishes, and using "wenn ich Zeit hätte" (if I had time) to talk about hypothetical possibilities.
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