| LESSON OVERVIEW
The main objectives of this ESL lesson on acting are to:
- review cleft sentences;
- explore different perspectives on acting;
- learn and practise phrases related to acting;
- watch videos of famous actors sharing their experiences.
With this lesson, students talk about actors they admire, discuss the challenges of acting, and share opinions on the profession. They explore phrases about acting (e.g. seamlessly shift, channel emotions, tap into, etc.), watch two videos featuring actors talking about their experiences and discuss what is more important for an actor’s career. Students also plan and present their vision for a film and practise cleft sentences and emphasis.
WARM-UP AND VOCABULARY
This ESL lesson on acting begins with a warm-up. Students name an outstanding actor and explain why they admire them. They use some ideas to help them (e.g. charisma, facial expressions, vocal delivery, etc.). Afterwards, students discuss acting and its challenges. Then, they read opinions about it. Students explain words and phrases to talk about acting (e.g. a nuanced performance, channel emotions, infuse, etc.) in their own words. Following that, they choose opinions they agree or disagree with (e.g. Actors shouldn’t cut their teeth on TV commercials because they will struggle to be taken seriously.) and discuss them with a partner. Next, students choose a point (e.g. an actor who gained recognition as a child) to elaborate on. They use expressions related to acting. After that, students watch an interview with an actress. As they watch, students note what she says about some concepts (fame, success, confidence and experience).
VIDEO AND DISCUSSION
In this part of this ESL lesson on acting, students say which options are more important for an actor’s career and why (e.g. natural talent OR training). Following that, they watch a video of an actor sharing his role experience. Students complete sentences with their ideas. They then watch the video and check themselves. Afterwards, students discuss challenges in acting. Next, they revise cleft sentences for emphasis. Students look at sentences and decide how each differs from its counterpart. Students consider which piece of information is emphasized. Then, they rewrite sentences about acting to emphasize specific parts. Students make any necessary changes but keep the same meaning. Finally, students imagine they are making a film. They choose a topic (e.g. rare hobbies) and present their vision based on some points (e.g. the name of the film, the genre, the cast, etc.). Students give reasons for each point.
HOMEWORK/REVISION
This lesson plan also includes an additional task that you can use as homework or revision. In the task, students complete sentences using one of the words or phrases from the lesson in any form. The task is available in the teacher’s version of the worksheet. You can print it and hand it out to your students. It’s also included in the e-lesson plan.
WORKSHEETS
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At the dawn of a new year, countless themes and elements beckon for thoughtful exploration. Nonetheless, an overly niche lesson theme surfaces, marked by its marginal relevance and limited pragmatic value.
Couldn’t agree more. It’s another poor choice of lesson for the C1-C2 learners, who make up the bulk of my learners. I’m sure when the survey came out last year, the results were that we were crying out for more lessons targeting the higher level students. I’ve done several of the recent ones with the student and I get to the end of it and think, “Don’t do this one again” or we even abandon it midway.
Are cleft sentences really useful? There’s nothing in the Google slide version of the lesson that even makes reference to them. I’d never heard of them until this lesson appeared and I consider myself a strong grammar teacher.
It’s a bit surprising that you/your students find the topic of actors and films niche. The topic is indeed tackled from a less obvious perspective but since it’s a lesson for C2 students who have probably covered this topic before, we thought that looking at it from actors’ perspective would be more interesting.
And cleft sentences are commonly taught to B2-C2 students and are incredibly useful as they help students sound more natural.
Please reach out to us at hello@eslbrains.com with more comments regarding this and other C2 lessons.
Contrary to the comments above, my students find the niche subjects fascinating, for it is in these subjects that they have very little knowledge. And they can always be fleshed out, given parallels to whatever they’re working in / studying. Plus, for me as a teacher, I get to learn something too. Thanks a lot for this!
Thank you so much for your comment! That’s how we see such topics too