Binge-Watching ESL Lesson Plan

OBJECTIVE & OVERVIEW

This binge-watching ESL lesson plan contains activities, worksheets, and digital materials for advanced C1 students. By the end of this lesson, students will be able to understand and express the impacts and culture of binge-watching, describe their own TV-watching behaviors and habits, and give advice to someone who binge-watches TV, and binges other activities as well.

PREVIEW & DISCUSSION

In this first step of this ESL lesson plan on binge-watching, students discuss some questions about binge-watching and watching TV. Then, they review some ideas that explore the pros/cons of binge-watching, and whether they agree or disagree with each idea. They move on to one more activity that is designed for students to talk about the streaming platforms they use (Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, etc.) and some subtle tricks they may employ to get users to watch more and more.

VIDEO & LISTENING COMPREHENSION

Students watch a video from BBC Ideas that explores the depth of binge-watching culture. There are several people interviewed about it in the video, and they share their opinions, perspectives, and facts about binge-watching. In the first part of the listening comprehension activity, students examine the psychological aspect of binge-watching and identify potential pros and cons associated with the binge-watching phenomenon.

In the next part, students discuss or write short answers to a few questions about binge-watching, specifically about its connotation, what it means, and an activity that we would not associate with bingeing.

DISCUSSION & PHRASES

This section of the lesson plan on binge-watching involves some follow-up discussion about the perspectives, ideas, and binge-watching behaviors explored in the video. Then, students proceed to do an activity based on some useful phrases that could be used in the context of binge-watching or watching TV. Students are instructed to read each person’s TV-watching habits, and they try to define the phrases. They’ll discuss whether they engage in any of the behaviors in the quote bubbles. These phrases are then used in the context of a short dialogue that help prepare students for the communicative activation exercise as described below.

BREAK YOUR BINGEING HABITS: FRIENDLY ADVICE

In this activity, there are two options. In the first one, students get to explore binge-watching habits through a role-play scenario. In Step 1, they imagine binge-watching a TV series and provide a brief description of the plot. Then, in Step 2, students take on different roles – either as the binge-watcher or a friend. The binge-watcher discusses negative habits related to binge-watching, using specific vocabulary and phrases provided, while the friend offers advice on healthy binge-watching etiquette.

Alternatively, students can choose the second option, where they discuss bingeing habits in different activities such as binge-eating, binge-gaming, binge-listening, binge-drinking, binge-shopping, and binge-surfing. The discussion involves considering the consequences of each chosen activity and drawing comparisons with binge-watching. Students explore the similarities and differences in consequences and share advice on how to manage and control bingeing in these various areas. This option encourages reflection on different bingeing behaviors and their potential impact.

Benefits of using this ESL lesson plan on binge-watching:

Critical Thinking: Through discussions on pros, cons, and personal opinions about binge-watching, students develop critical thinking skills, analyzing different perspectives on a prevalent modern phenomenon.

Communication Skills: The role-play and discussion activities provide opportunities for students to express opinions, discuss habits, and offer advice, honing their communication skills in English.

Flexible Options: The lesson plan offers flexibility with activity choices, allowing students to engage in role-playing scenarios or explore bingeing habits across various activities, catering to diverse interests and preferences.