ESL WORKSHEET - Entertainment and the Media

LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS

NETFLIX-ING

LinguaHouse
Sept. 4, 2022

Level: Advanced (C1-C2)
Type of English: General English
Tags: Entertainment; Society and Change; The Media; Innovation and Product Development; 18+ Years Old; Article Based
Publication date: 09/04/2022

This lesson looks at Netflix* and the impact it has had on the way we watch television and film and the type of shows we watch. Exercises look at reading and listening skills, related vocabulary and students will have an opportunity to discuss issues relating to the topic (by Joe Wilson).

* Note: While this lesson does not deal specifically with any issues relating to the subject, there is mention of LGBTQ issues and transphobia which may not be suitable topics for your classes.

• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English.
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English.
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio in British English.

AUDIO TRANSCRIPT

Rob: Hi Selma, how are you?
Selma: Oh, hi Rob! I’m doing well, thanks. Just finished that essay that’s due in tomorrow. It was a tough topic!
Rob: Tell me about it. It took me ages. So, listen, I wanted to ask you about Netflix. You subscribe to it, don’t you?
Selma: I do, yes.
Rob: I’m thinking about signing up, but I wanted to get your view on it. Is it worth the money?
Selma: I really think it is, although I don’t know that everyone would agree with me. I’m a huge fan of crime series, so there’s nothing I love more than binge-watching a whole series in a day in my pijamas.
Rob: I keep reading about some really interesting films coming up on there – there was that Martin Scorsese film recently?
Selma: Oh yes, The Irishman. I haven’t seen it yet, but Jane loved it and said it was some of his best work. So, it’s on my list. But absolutely everything is covered. There’s horror, thrillers, comedy, cartoons, you name it. I’ve seen some really thought-provoking documentaries on there recently. There’s Saving Capitalism by Robert Reich which takes a really good look at the system we live in and its problems and then makes suggestions for how to fix it. I watched What The Health which looks at the links between the food industry and healthcare. I’ve had a lot of discussions with other students about that one.
Rob: Is there much music stuff on there?
Selma: Loads! Film from concerts, documentaries about Bowie, Oasis, Bob Dylan… you like Hip Hop, don’t you? There is a great series called Hip Hop Evolution that goes into how it all started. It’s fascinating. What I really like about Netflix though is because there’s such a huge audience, there’s a lot of representation of different groups in society. There are loads of foreign films, there’s LGBTQ themes, Black and Asian directors. Something for everyone. Did you hear about Squid Game?
Rob: Oh yeah, the Korean series?
Selma: Yes, it was brilliant and completely unlike anything you’d see over here. I also like it because it’s just there when you want to watch something. You don’t have to worry about tuning in to your favorite TV show at a particular time each week or having to wait until the next episode airs. I feel like I spend less time watching shows than when I had TV and I used to just watch whatever came on.
Rob: You sound like you’re pretty pro-Netflix. Are there any downsides?
Selma: Well, not all of the films are that great. There’s so many of them that they can’t be. Quite a few times I’ve started watching something and just ended up switching it off because it was terrible. You can also spend so long just flipping through the different options. There’s so much choice that you need to know what you want to watch or it can feel overwhelming.
Rob: I think you’ve sold it to me.
Selma: Come over some time and have a look through mine before you make a decision if you want. If you bring some popcorn, I’ll let you choose what we watch – within reason. I’m not watching The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I hate horror films.
Rob: It is a deal. How’s tomorrow night looking for you?
Selma: I’m practicing with the orchestra tomorrow night, but Sunday night is good?
Rob: I’ll do better than popcorn, I’ll bring dinner. Is coming over at about 5, OK? I can’t stay too late as I’ve got to be up early for a run on Monday.
Selma: Sounds good. Another advantage of having Netflix is people bring over dinner! (laughs)
Rob: (laughs)

Adapted from: https://www.linguahouse.com/esl-lesson-plans/general-english/netflix-ing. Accessed on September 10, 2022. © 2008–2022 LinguaHouse.com. All rights reserved.