Sunday 11 December 2016

English for begiNNers

This short lesson plan is designed around a Christmas advert. It is mainly aimed at upper-intermediate and advanced students because these are the groups I usually teach, but can be used with any other level with little adaptation.

STEP 1 WARMER

We start by discussing in small groups and brainstorming some (as many as students can think of):

1.- reasons why people learn a second language (to find a job, for pleasure, to enhance brain activity, to travel/ live abroad…)

2.- reasons why people decide to go and live in another country (looking for better working conditions, for love, weather/climate/ health issues, political reasons…)

3.- strategies/ useful tips for learning a foreign language and improving: grammar, pronunciation, listening, speaking, vocabulary etc. at both a beginner and at a more advanced level 

4.- the main advantages and disadvantages of learning a language at a young/ old age


STEP 2 POOLING THEIR IDEAS AND TIPS

Go through the students’ answers. After conducting feedback and sharing their ideas and recommendations with the whole group, tell them they are going to watch the start of a short film entitled “English for beginners” in which they will see the difficulties of learning a foreign language at advanced age.

STEP 3 WATCHING AND PAUSING

Pause the video after 1:46 and comment on those difficulties most of us have gone through.
Ask Ss what they think is the reason why this old man is trying to learn English. Let them take guesses while predicting what happens next. Give them some time to come up with an interesting and original ending for the video.



STEP 4 AFTER WATCHING

After watching, ask your students if they like the film and tell them this is a viral Christmas advert. Get them to guess what they are advertising, debate what makes a successful Christmas advert and how they feel about this type of Christmas ads.

Hope you enjoy the activity!
E.