What are your plans for 2023?

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Jonathan: OK. Hi, everyone. Here we are at the start of 2023, a brand new year, and we're looking forward to what the year might bring to us. Yeah. So as for me, what am I going to do? Like, I know I'm going to try to work less. Yeah, I'm going to work less. I know a lot of people are going to try to work more. For me, actually, not lazy, just yeah, just want to make sure I've got a good balance between work and life. Yeah, so I'm still going to work hard. Yeah, I'm still going to work hard but just work a little bit less, yeah. I really want to emphasise though that I'm still going to work hard. How about you, Jo? What are you going to do this year?

Jo: I like that, Jonathan, and I'm going to take your resolution too. I'm going to try and work a little bit less. But another thing I want to do is I'm going to take fewer photos. I realised that this year I've taken thousands and thousands of photos of everything and I don't know what to do with them. I don't have time to organise them. So I'm going to try and take fewer photos. It's a very simple, simple little change, but I think it will save me time.

Jonathan: I know what you mean. They're very hard to manage. Yeah, it's quite time consuming. Yeah, it's a good idea. I wonder, what would you like to do this year? What would you like to do? Like for me, I know I would like to wake up earlier in the morning. Like, if I could wake up around 6 or 7, that would be great because I could start the day early, get things done. Even before lunch time I could achieve a lot. But I don't really do that now so yeah, i'd really like to wake up earlier, yeah. How about you, Kirk? Is there anything you would like to do this year?

Kirk: Yeah. Well, I already wake up early so I'm not gonna make any wishes there. But I'd like to get out hiking more. I used to go nearly every weekend, or at least a couple of times a month, and just sort of lost that over the years. Just too busy. So I'd like to find a way to make time to to be able to get out hiking more often.

Jonathan: Every weekend?

Kirk: Hmm?

Jonathan: Every weekend?

Kirk: I don't know about every weekend. I think that's a bit too ambitious. But I'd be happy with even once a month, actually, so I'll start there.

Jonathan: Sounds good. And I wonder, like, is there anything that you're hoping to do this year? As for me, I really hope to travel somewhere. Yeah, somewhere new, somewhere I haven't been before. Yeah, it's been difficult to travel in the past few years, hasn't it? It's been quite difficult. So this year I really hope I have a chance. Yeah, to be honest, I don't know where I can go. I haven't really thought about it but I really hope I can go somewhere nice, somewhere interesting. Yeah, I would love that. How about you, Joanne?

Joanne: Well, I hope that that is something that you'll be able to do, Jonathan. I'd like to travel a bit more as well. But I haven't thought really of any details where I'd like to go. But just yeah, I just think in general I just hope that it will be a good year. You know, it's been a difficult few years for a lot of people so yeah, I just hope that 2023 will be a good year, a good year for everyone. So yeah, Happy New Year, all of you!

Everyone: Happy New Year!

As 2023 begins, we're looking forward to what the year might bring. In this video, our British Council colleagues share their plans and hopes for 2023. Here are some of the phrases that they used.

I'm going to

If you express plans using going to, it shows that you decided this goal some time ago, before the moment when you are speaking. Nowadays, it's common to say gonna (pronunciation: 'ɡənə). It's followed by an infinitive verb.

I would like to

Would like is often used to make offers and requests, but you can also use it to say that you want something. It can be something that is possible (I'd like to see my family more often) or even something impossible (I'd like to travel to Australia, but it's just a dream at the moment).

I hope to

You can say I hope to … when there is something you want to do, but it's not certain whether you'll actually do it or not. After hope, you can use an infinitive with to (I hope to get promoted at work) or a clause in the present or future (I hope I (will) get promoted at work).

Over to you

What are your plans for 2023? Write a comment and let us know. You can complete these sentences or use any other words and structures you like.

  • In 2023 I'm going to …
  • In 2023 I would like to …
  • In 2023 I hope to …

You can find more tips for writing about your plans on our New Year's resolutions page.

If you want to practise speaking, you can record your response using SpeakPipe voice recorder and post a link to it the recording in your comment.

Go to SpeakPipe voice recorder

*Recordings are kept on SpeakPipe server for three months. Please don't include any music in your recording.

No votes yet

Hi Stefanie,

As for me, I have already made some changes to my work habits and daily routine. I can't deny that it's hard to change my habits, but I think it will be worth it in the long run. We need to achieve a balance of everything, including our health and well-being, as you mentioned. How are your plans going so far?

Jonathan

LearnEnglish team

Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for your reply! It's great to hear that you were already able to make some changes. As for me, I have already started my walking routine and it's going very well, I'm managing to sneek in a 20-minute-walk at least every other day. I also rediscovered the pomodoro technique which is making my working hours much more productive and less exhausting. So 2023 is starting off splendidly! Thank you and your team for encouraging reflecting on our habits!

Stefanie

Hello Luis,

That sounds great -- I really hope you can see your daughter in Montréal. I grew up near there and it's a wonderful city.

I'm afraid British Council policy doesn't allow pictures of people in comments ... I'm sorry we couldn't include yours, but thank you very much for sharing your plans.

Best wishes -- Kirk
LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by yoan on Sun, 29/01/2023 - 10:24

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Hi everyone

I'm Yoan from Indonesia

First, I really gratitude I could pass all the things in 2022 well. There were some achievements that I got. It was really amazing for me. I hope that I can make it perfect in 2023.

Profile picture for user RdVAL

Submitted by RdVAL on Thu, 26/01/2023 - 14:15

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Hy everyone! My name is RONALDO , i'm typing from Brazil. My plans to 2023 ! First , i hope that I get to achieve my goals this year, one of them, is a level 2 in an exame, a test of conversation like toeffel. Second, i would like to visit my parents often that last years. Third ! I 'm going to travel more, maybe to the beach in summer, here in Brazil we have a large cost to visit and where i live at the State of Minas , we don't have beaches, it's a mountain region! with to much natural beauty. Finally! i would like to be on fit Finally! i would like to be on fit, because i'm out of fit , some pounds over!

Submitted by pitot on Wed, 25/01/2023 - 20:29

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Hello my name is Françoise
I am from France
And i learn english for a few month
I hope to visit Scotland this year.
I would like to talk with people to practice english and speak english well.
Happy new year everyone !!!!

Hi ggc_020190,
A new house sounds like a big project but for sure it will be a fulfilling one when it is complete and ready to live in. I was wondering, where do you think you may go for the honeymoon?
Thanks for your comment. I hope your vision for 2023 will be realised :)
Jonathan
LearnEnglish team

Submitted by Evapineda on Tue, 24/01/2023 - 17:35

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Hi everyone!
I´m Eva (spanish) but writting from Portugal. I live here since 2020.
In 2023 I would like to get that makes me feel comfortable. I´m gonna get a work that allows me work from home and live 6 month near the sea and the other 6 in the mountains.
Also I would like to study a PSM certificated, but first I need a job ;-)
I hope that my dream job is coming to me.
Thanks!

Hi Evapineda,
That really does sound like a dream job if you can work from home and live in two beautiful places. Have you started job hunting yet? Are there many jobs like that?
I hope all your plans for 2023 work out :)
Jonathan
LearnEnglish team

Submitted by JaPo on Sun, 22/01/2023 - 12:44

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I make my resolutions for every New Year. And usually, I can tick off as finished at least some of them at the end of the year.
I picked following resolutions for 2023:
1.I would like to practice my English continuously, using the British councel as a useful and supportive tool.
2. I am going to discover all technical possibilities of my new camera and develop my skills by using it.
3. I plan to participate in an exotic photo-expedition and to prepare myself thoroughly for the trip. My goal is to bring home a lot of nice photos representing the visited country.

Submitted by AnnaEngels on Sun, 22/01/2023 - 09:31

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Good day Everybody
In 2023 I am going to make a huge change in my life by moving to Europe. I want to be nearer to my 2 boys and their families.
I am actively looking for a teaching position in The Netherlands and Spain because my boys stay in these counties.
I would like to declutter every aspect of my life and work more focussed.
Goal setting is second nature to me. I like to know what I am working towards.
Have a blessed 2023.

Sounds like you have a great, and interesting year ahead @AnnaEngels! Have you ever lived in either of these countries before? Would you have a preference ... or is that too tricky to answer? 😊
Good luck and I wish you lots of success in decluttering!
~ Tina ツ
LearnEnglish team

Submitted by noura-elkhwanky on Sat, 21/01/2023 - 19:30

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hello everyone actually I hope many things to do in 2023 like I’ll be able to run my new business and chive success. I’m looking forward to travel to many places . sertainlly I going to do many thing I used to do before like doing sports practice . finally I hope you all achive everything’s you hope . happy new year

Submitted by Foward Sadzi on Sat, 21/01/2023 - 10:47

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My name is Foward Sadzi. I'm a Zimbabwean man with 42 years of age.
2023 is the year of my turn arround. I have been a beer drinker and chain smoker. These practices negatively affected my physical, phsychological and financial wellbeing for the past 24 years. I had since made it my new year's resolution that I have to quit alcohol and tobbacco this year.

That's going to be tough but good for you! Good luck and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you succeed @Foward Sadzi
~ Tinaツ
LearnEnglish team

Submitted by Maglou on Sat, 21/01/2023 - 09:05

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Hello and a happy new year for everybody- may you achieve all your goals. In 2023, first of all I would like to support my little daughter as good as I can.
Besides that I hope to get a good result in IELTS in summer.

Greetings from Germany, Lena

Submitted by Ghada66 on Fri, 20/01/2023 - 16:28

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I wrote a comment deep down from my heart and then it disappeared!

Hello Ghada66,

I'm sorry about this! For security reasons, users are automatically logged out after a certain period of time. I expect that it didn't realise that you were working on a comment and thought you were inactive and therefore logged you out.

Best wishes,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by AHMED_FATAH on Thu, 19/01/2023 - 18:40

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Hello

Submitted by Poozu on Thu, 19/01/2023 - 11:21

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It is just the beginning of the year 2023, and already a lot of things have started to change. For me, one of them is a job change. Also, my son has board exams so I can see myself helping him out in his studies in the first quarter. I am not a winter person, so looking forward to the spring and summer months when I'll be more active and productive. Spiritually, I wish to be more mindful of things happening around me and I aim to consume less, be more attentive and disciplined, reach out to people who need help and come out of my comfort zone to work hard.

Hi Poozu! ☼
Have you already started your new job? Or are you looking for a new one?
I know what you mean about the winter, I don't mind it as long as the sun shines a bit. I do loathe the rain! I think my favourite season is the springtime, I just love it when everything starts to come to live again in the garden!
I hope you succeed in all that you want to achieve in 2023! Good luck!
~ Tinaツ
LearnEnglish team

Submitted by Marzeena on Thu, 19/01/2023 - 01:21

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Hello everyone;
These are my plans in 2023. I'll follow my dream to improve my language and my writing.
I have never studied at school in my entire life at all. This is my first time.
When I have arrived to Australia. I started studying it two years ago.

Submitted by kamalsayed1993 on Thu, 19/01/2023 - 00:53

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Hello

I am kamal, i am from Egypt , i'd like to improve my English this year and I am going to use this site to enhancing my skills

Submitted by tariqWE21 on Wed, 18/01/2023 - 17:25

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im tariq from afghanistan and my plan for 2023 is to improve my english proficiency as much as i can

Submitted by rebecca_bl on Wed, 18/01/2023 - 10:48

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Hello, I'm Na and I'm from Vietnam. Before moving to plans for 2023, I want to share a little bit about my feelings. 2022 was an unforgettable year for me 'cause I've been through a really tough period of time. Up to now, it was my saddest year that took me a really long time to get over. But I realized that don’t just lose things, I gain my lessons too. Going through the hard time helps me grow stronger and pay more attention to people who’s always been there to love and pick me up. The people who don’t value you, all you need to do is just let them go. I know that so many people out there experience bad things too. And I deeply sympathize that how stressed and painful you are. But I know you’re stronger enough to make it through so just don’t give up. You’ve been working hard so now it’s time to relax, spend your time with the people you love and cheer for a brand new year with the upcoming beautiful journey <3

For 2023, I’ll continue to improve my English and probably I’m going to take the Ielts exam by the end of the year. Also, I’ll take a copywriting course ‘cause I think it will helps me a lot with my major (Marketing) and I can earn some money with that skill. I’ll try my best to achieve my goals.

Happy new year 2023 to everyone. Wish you all the best luck and successfully done what you dream about :)

Hi Na,

"Don't give up" is a great motto. I hope that better days will be just around the corner :)

Best of luck with your English studies in 2023.

Jonathan

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Oksana Shyiata on Wed, 18/01/2023 - 10:30

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Hello)
My name is Oksana.I'm from Ukraine.This yeas I'm going to improve my English and I would like to visit countries in which I haven't been.

Submitted by sama no889y on Wed, 18/01/2023 - 06:36

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hi my name is rg in 2023Iwant to be god in einglish.

Submitted by DonatellaGiardino on Tue, 17/01/2023 - 14:53

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Hello, I'm Donatella. I live near the mountains and i like go skying.
I hope that it will snow very much, this winter.
Thank you.

Me too! We're finally getting some snow in the Pyrenees, near where I live. I hope you get more snow soon, too.

All the best,
Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Liliana_87 on Tue, 17/01/2023 - 06:53

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Hi. My name is Liliana, I am from Romania. My goals for 2023 is to improve my enghlish skills, read a lot, do exercise, walk on montains. I would like to travel in Europe. In 2023, I will change my job, and I need to know english better.

Hi Liliana, welcome to the Learning Hub ❤

I love to walk in the mountains near our home, especially on a clear day as you can see right to the coast! I don't know much about Romania, which mountains do you like to go to?
Good luck with your 2023 goals!
~ Tina ツ
LearnEnglish team

Submitted by rabbit-cat on Mon, 16/01/2023 - 10:25

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Hello I'm Saniya. In 2023 I'm follow on my dream studies hard and more hardworking for achieving them. And I'm hardworking for improving my English level.

Hi Saniya. My name is Nassar, I am form Iraq, I am currently living in Australia in Queensland.
In 2023 I would like to develop my language and write in English.
This why, I'm follow my dream every night also I'd like to development of my knowledge in the English because this is the first time. I'm study English.

Submitted by Maryam0708_ on Sun, 15/01/2023 - 16:26

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Hello, I'm Maryam. I'm from Nigeria. My plans for 2023 are;
In 2023, I'm going to work on myself so much. I'm going to be doing a lot of investing along side with working on my attitude and character in becoming a better person than last year. I would like to travel to the UK to complete my masters and also get a well paying job and put a lot of hard work and commitment to it. I hope I'll get the opportunity to finally travel and also pass the IELTS test/examinations I'll write.
Thank you.

Hi @Maryam078,

Good luck with all your plans! 

~ Tina ツ
LearnEnglish team

Submitted by Ryan Dby on Sat, 14/01/2023 - 22:29

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Hii everyone, I'm Rayen from Algeria, i'm so optimist for this year it feels like it will be a great year :) i hope so
For me, i'm going to improve my english level,and make a new friends, also i'm going to take more times for me, i would like to travel more than last year and i hope to do more adventures and have fun ^^. that's my plans for 2023.
Good luck for us ^^

Thank you for your lovely recording @sura alawneh!
I hope you manage to achieve all that you've mentioned. Good luck!

~ Tina ツ

LearnEnglish team

Submitted by victoria_farias on Sat, 14/01/2023 - 17:02

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Hi, my name is Victoria and I´m from Chile
Well in this 2023 I´m going to improve my skills in English because I know english but the basic but i wanna be better so that´s one of the reasons of why am here, also because this year I´m gonna graduate from high school and next year i would love to study in Europe especially England, also this year I´m going to study a lot, because here in Chile you have to do a test so you can get in college it´s called PAES and there are two test that everyone has to do it that is a test of math and language and then you have to choose if you want to do a hystory test or a science test but that deppends of what you are going to study so you have to see what test the career you wanna study ask for, for example I wanna study medicine so I have to do the science test, also I can do the hystory test if I want to but itś not gonna help in nothing so it´s optional, so what I´m plannig to do is wake up every mornign at 5am (except wekeends) to study for this test because I know that after school I´m not going to study that´s for sure hahahaha, and well these are my goals for this year, in resume all I´m going to do is study but I also want to focs a little more in voleyball and to finish all my projects that I want to do in crochet.

Well, that is, I think I wrote a little bit too much haha sorry.... but I hope all of you have a good year.
Happy New Year (:

Hello Sky,

You're off to a good start with your last plan!

All the best -- Kirk
The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Abeer47 on Sat, 14/01/2023 - 13:19

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My plan for 2023
1st improve my language and that is why I'm here because i'm gonna to new position so i need more skills
2st Pass CMA exam
and there is a lot of things but the above has priority

Submitted by Luis_Angel on Fri, 13/01/2023 - 21:48

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Hi! I'm Luis :D.

In 2023 I'm going to learn how to use some software for making some music covers. Also, in 2023 I hope to make a good drawing or letter so that I can improve my (few) artistic skills. And finally, in 2023 I'd like to weigh less than now for taking care of my physical health.

Luis Vergara.

Submitted by Rouzic on Fri, 13/01/2023 - 19:09

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Hello everybody,
I wish you a nice year. During 2023 I would like to improve my english, especialy be able to understand people when they speek. This, because in six months I will go to see my cousin in Thailand and he speeks english with his son and his wife who are thai. And I have been said that many people over there speak english. I am french, I forgot to say and my cousin too.
Furthermore I stopped working because I am 63 and I want to spend more time doing nothing and writing and dreaming and walking and take care of my friends and my donkeys.

I love that you want to spend more time @Rouzic ... doing nothing, writing, dreaming, walking and taking care of your friends, and your donkeys! How cool to have donkeys! How many do you have? Do they have names and could you share a photo of them? I'd love to see them 😊
It's also really good to have a reason to learn a language like you do - I hope you enjoy your trip to Thailand, it's a gorgeous place and the food is divine!
~ Tina ツ
LearnEnglish team