This lesson is designed around a trailer for Wisdom by Andrew Zuckerman and the theme of wisdom. Students practise abstract nouns talk about wisdom, watch a short trailer and discuss quotes on wisdom.
Language level: Upper-intermediate (B2.1) – Advanced (C1)
Learner type: Teens and adults
Time: 90 minutes
Activity: Watching a short film, speaking and writing
Topic: Wisdom
Language: Abstract nouns
Material: Short film, discussion questions and quotes
Downloadable material: wisdom lesson instructions wisdom trailer transcript wisdom quotes
Step 1
Write the following adjectives on the board:
Intelligent
Optimistic
Sociable
Kind
Generous
Decent
Wise
Ask your students to come up with the abstract noun for each adjective.
Answers: intelligence, optimism, sociability, kindness, generosity, decency and wisdom
Step 2
Put your students in pairs and ask them to discuss the following question:
Which of the characteristics is most important to lead a happy life?
Give them five minutes to discuss the question and then get feedback from the whole class.
Step 3
Ask your students the following questions:
What is wisdom?
What does being wise mean?
Can you name any well-known people who you think are wise?
Step 4
Tell your students that they are going to watch a short video in which well-known people from a wide range of fields talk about what wisdom means to them. The first time they watch it they should write down any words or expressions the people use to describe wisdom.
WISDOM Trailer from Andrew Zuckerman Studio on Vimeo.
Get feedback.
Step 5
Give students the transcript of the video. They should read throught the transcript, help them with any difficult vocabulary.
Step 6
Now show the video a second time.
Step 7
Put students in small groups and give them the quotes from the video. Ask them to discuss the quotes.
Homework
Give your students the link to the film. Ask them to choose the three quotes they like the most. For each quote they should should write a paragraph explaining what the quote means and why they like it.
I hope you enjoy the lesson.
That is an amazing lesson and amazing film! I know my students will be inspired! Thanks to you…
All my warmest and kindest wishes to you.
Hi Elen, Thanks a lot for commenting. I do hope your students find it inspiring! Please let me know. All the best, Kieran
Many thanks for another great lesson Kieran!!!
The website’s looking really good!
Just noticed –
Which IS OF the characteristics is most important to lead a happy life?
Such a great lesson, the tiny typo should be corrected to make it perfect : )
Hi Helen, I’m really happy that you like the new design and this lesson. Thanks a lot for pointing out the typo, much appreciated : ) All the best, Kieran
Excellent lesson, Kieran, thanks so much! Will definitely use it with my biz folks…
Hi Virginia, Thanks a lot for commenting. I’m really happy to know that you like the lesson. Please let me know how it goes with your students. All the best, Kieran
Thanks for the fantastic videos and short films, they are really good to engage students in discussions and giving opinions. Just a question: is it possible to add the subtitles in English to these videos?
Thanks again =)
Hi Cindy, Thanks a lot for commenting, I’m really glad you like the short films and videos. There are various programmes for adding subtitles, but I simply haven’t got the time to download the films, add the subtiles and then upload the films ago. As I don’t own the copyright to the films, I can just download them either. All the best, Kieran