| LESSON OVERVIEW
The main objectives of this ESL lesson about tech giants are to:
- practise vocabulary to talk about tech dependency;
- discuss the impact and future of big tech;
- watch parts of a video and discuss alternatives to Google.
With this lesson, students talk about using Google, watch parts of a video (5.5 mins in total) about a woman who tries to “de-Google” her life and discuss the challenges of finding alternative tools to big tech. They also practise vocabulary (e.g. digital hoarder, monetize data, hinder workflow, etc.) and talk about frustrations related to data privacy measures and tech dependency. They also discuss the future of tech giants.
C2 / Proficiency60 minStandard LessonPremium Plan
VIDEO AND VOCABULARY
This ESL lesson about tech giants starts with a warm-up where students look at a quote by Google’s initial investor and say what aspect of the business they think he was convinced by. After that, students evaluate which areas (e.g. research, communication, navigation, etc.) they would struggle with most if they stopped using Google and explain why. Afterwards, they watch the first part of the video about a woman who attempts to ‘de-Google’ her life. Students discuss why Google has been receiving criticism and the tools the woman decided to use instead of Google’s. Then, students examine questions about digital privacy and data management and match words and phrases (e.g. revoke access, apprehensive, digital hoarder, etc.) with their definitions. Next, they discuss the questions. Before watching the second part of the video, students predict which de-Googling challenges (e.g. issues with logging into platforms, impaired app functioning, etc.) will be mentioned and explain why. Following that, they watch the video and check their answers.
DISCUSSION
At this point of the ESL lesson about tech giants, students answer questions about de-Googling and its potential implications for app access, functionality, and data monetization. Then, they choose the correct verb to complete phrases (e.g. give alternative apps a whirl, hinder workflow, exercise nefarious use, etc.). Following that, students match the phrases with their examples. Afterwards, they choose a word and complete sentences about apps and internet use with their opinions. Then, students discuss their experience using services provided by tech giants. Finally, they consider the future of big tech and expand on what is likely or unlikely to happen in the next ten years (e.g. tougher data privacy laws).
HOMEWORK/REVISION
This lesson also includes an additional task that you can use as homework or revision. In the task, students complete gaps in pairs of sentences with the same phrase. Then, they match each comment to its response. 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.
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Great lesson. Many thanks
Thank you! Glad to hear that 🙂
It’s a brilliant lesson! I enjoyed it as much as my students did as it makes you reflect and question some aspects of your life you manage on autopilot <3
Thank you, Agnieszka! Happy it provided some food for thought 🙂