How about a tattoo?

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Speaking
Class

speaking lesson on tattoos

LESSON OVERVIEW

The main objectives of this speaking lesson on tattoos are to:

  • talk about tattoos from different perspectives;
  • watch a short video on tattoo tourism;
  • revise collocations with the word ‘tattoo’.

With this lesson, students talk about personal travel traditions, watch a video about a woman who gets tattoos while travelling the world and share their opinions on tattoos and tourism. Students also revise collocations with the word ‘tattoo’ (e.g. have a tattoo, tattoo artist, detailed tattoo, etc.), role-play a conversation about getting a tattoo and discuss discrimination against people with tattoos in the workplace. In addition, they suggest getting tattoos based on personal interests.

A2 / Pre‐Intermediate
B1 / Intermediate
45 min
60 min
Speaking ClassUnlimited Plan

This is a Speaking Class worksheet. It includes a variety of tasks that let your students practise their speaking skills. This lesson format does not focus on grammar or vocabulary. Learn more about it here.

WARM-UP AND COLLOCATIONS

This speaking lesson on tattoos starts with a warm-up. Students read about things people do when they travel (e.g. In every country I visit, I take the same photo in a specific pose or at a specific spot.) and say if they have any travel traditions. Afterwards, students watch a video about a woman who travels the world and gets tattoos in each country she visits. Then, they say if they agree with comments about tattoos and tourism and explain their opinions. Following that, students discuss questions about the trend of getting tattoos while travelling. After that, you can ask students to do a vocabulary activity. In the task, they revise collocations with the word ‘tattoo’ (e.g. remove a tattoo, tattoo design, temporary tattoo, etc.) and complete mind maps. They also choose one collocation in each mind map to create questions to ask their partner. Students ask and answer each other’s questions.

VIDEO AND DISCUSSION

At this point in this speaking lesson on tattoos, students complete facts related to tattoos according to what they know (e.g. Women/Men get more tattoos than women/men.). Then, they check the answers and discuss the facts by completing statements with their opinions (e.g. It’s interesting that…). Next, they imagine they want to get a tattoo. Their friend doesn’t like the idea and gives them reasons why they shouldn’t do it (e.g. I think you might regret it when you’re older.). In the task, students respond to their friend’s comments. Afterwards, they read a statement about discrimination against people with tattoos in the workplace and discuss questions about the topic. Finally, they read about people who want to get tattoos and their personal interests. Students discuss the details of their tattoos (e.g. what the tattoo should be of, what the meaning of the tattoo will be, etc.).

WORKSHEETS

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  1. samhutchings93

    Can you make an advanced version of this please? I have B2/C1 students that would love this

    1. Olia

      Thanks for the suggestion! We’ll see what we can do! 😊

    2. EveSmith

      Me too! I teach two tattoo artists, in fact!

  2. Cindy Naidoo

    I have used this lesson twice now, and my students found it very interesting. They had lots to say about the topic and plenty of laughs were shared! Thank you for another great lesson.

    As suggested below, an advanced version would be great.

    1. Olia

      Thanks so much for your feedback! I’m glad to hear your students enjoyed it 🙂

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