Expressing Wishes and Regrets

Real people from all over the world talk about what they wish they had more time for, and what they regret.

Listen to each speaker and fill in the missing words. You will hear the structures I wish I had…, I wish I had done… and I would have liked to… again and again!

Listening: expressing wishes (B1)

What do people wish they had more time to do? Their answers might surprise you.

Introduction: listen to the speakers Listen to five people, take notes and get ready to talk about their wishes.
Al (England) He wishes he could go out and meet more people.
Anita (Taiwan) She plays in a university band, and she'd love more time to make music.
Barbara (Australia) She works every day to make ends meet. What would she rather be doing?
Mark (Alabama) He wastes too much time on the internet. Find out what he really wants to do.
Ruth (England) Not more TV, thank you! She'd rather spend her time outside.
Simon (Canada) It's summer, and he dreams of barbecues with his friends three days a week.

Listening: expressing regrets (B1/B2)

A scholarship, a life in Spain, a musical instrument... what do people regret most?

Introduction: listen to the speakers Listen to five people, take notes and get ready to talk about their regrets.
Arienne (Norway) No regrets at all! Find out how she made her dreams come true.
Jeff (Canada) Too much sport, no music, only one language: he has a couple of regrets.
Shibika (Oman) She turned down a scholarship a few years ago. Does she regret it?
Fred (Canada) Sun, beaches and nice people: why did he ever leave Spain?
Rebecca (Australia) She always wanted to travel overseas when she was younger.

Grammar (B1/B2)

Now practise the structures you heard.

Wish or regret? I wish I knew or I wish I had known? Sort 12 sentences, and watch out for the had trap!
Translate into English J'aimerais qu'il vienne, si seulement j'étais riche… choose the right way to say it in English.

Going further (B1/B2)

Biggest regrets (Elllo) Six more people talk about their biggest regrets.