This lesson is designed around a short film called The Black Button by Dark Heart Productions and the themes of moral dilemmas. Students practise reading, reading and listening.
Language level: Upper-intermediate (B2.1) – Advanced (C1)
Learner type: Teens and adults
Time: 90 minutes
Activity: Watching a short film clip, speaking, reading, listening and writing
Topic: Moral dilemmas
Language: Second conditional
Materials: Short film clip, video, moral dilemma worksheets and video transcript
Downloable materials: black button lesson instructions moral dilemmas what if money was no object
Step 1
Write Moral Dilemma on the board. Ask your students if they know what a moral dilemma is, ask them for examples.
Step 2
Tell me that you would like to talk about two moral dilemmas in small groups. Pre-teach any difficult vocabulary in the first moral dilemma, then give them the worksheet and let them read it for five minutes. Tell them they should decide what they would do in the situation. Put them into small groups and give them ten minutes to discuss the situation and their decisions.
Step 3
After 10 minutes get feedback from each group.
Step 4
Repeat steps 2 and 3 with moral dilemma 2.
Step 5
Tell your students they are going to watch the first part of a short film based on a moral dilemma. As they watch the film they should answer the question:
What is the moral dilemma?
Show the film until 4:56.
Step 6
Discuss the moral dilemma and ask the following questions:
What would you do in this situation?
What do you think the man will do?
Step 7
Show the film until the man presses the button, pause at 5:26.
Discuss the man’s decision.
Ask the following question:
What do you think the other man is going to tell him.
Step 8
Show the rest of the film. Ask your students what they think the message of the film is.
Step 9
Tell your students one interpretation is that the man has sold his soul for money. Ask them if they agree. Write the following proverb on the board:
Money is the root of all evil.
Ask them if they agree.
Step 10
Write the following question on the board:
What would you do with your life if money was no object?
Put students in pairs and ask them to discuss the question.
Step 11
Tell your students they are going to watch a short video based on part of a lecture by Alan Watts which asks the question “What would you do if money was no object?”
Show the film and ask students if they agree with Alan Watts.
Step 12
Give students the transcript of the lecture and ask them to read it for 5 minutes then show the video a second time.
Homework
Ask your students to write a composition titled.
What I would do if money was no object?
I hope you enjoy the lesson.
Another brilliant lesson!
Hi Liz,
Really glad you like the lesson. Thanks a lot.
All the best,
Kieran
Great lesson, makes you think of life in a different perspective – so true!
Hi Jenya,
Thanks a lot, really glad you like the lesson.
All the best,
Kieran
Wow! This really inspired me and got me thinking myself!
Can’t wait to use this idea on Monday … it will surely promote a very interesting discussion. Thank you!
Your website was recommended to me by a friend and I’m really glad I stumbled across your lesson on here
Hi Billie,
Thanks a lot for commenting, I’m really happy you like the site. Let me know how it goes with your students, please.
All the best,
Kieran
Fantastic lesson, thank you so much!
Hi Sibylle,
Thanks a lot for commenting, it’s great to know you like the lesson so much.
All the best,
Kieran
Absolutely brilliant… our life is full of moral dilemmas and sometimes we’re tempted to sell our souls to the devil. This reminds us how good it is to keep faithful to dignity and integrity.
thanks so much Kieran
Hi Elsa,
Great to hear from you again. Thanks a lot for commenting, I’m really happy that you enjoyed the moral dilemma theme in the lesson.
All the best,
Kieran
Rarely do I find a lesson that 1) I can use without changing anything (!) and 2) is actually meaningful and thought provoking. Thank you and I look forward to using more of your work.
Hi Erin,
Thanks a lot for your lovely feedback; it’s great to know you like the lesson so much.
All the best,
Kieran
Wonderful lesson. My upper intermediates were on fire tonight!
Mike in Phuket
Hi Mike,
Great to hear your students enjoyed the lesson.
All the best,
Kieran
Kieran,thankyou for this lesson. I used it for FCE and advanced. The classes participated really well but the best (and most surprising) was from the class with behaviourial problem. They loved it and can’t wait for the next one. Behaviour has improved so much.Excellent resource. I’ve reccommended this site to all my friends. Mary (from Ireland) living the life in Valencia
Hi Mary,
Thanks a lot for your kind comments. I’m really happy that you’re students enjoyed the lesson so much. I hope you’re enjoying life in Valencia
All the best,
Kieran
Fantastic lesson, you’ve saved my day yet again. I’m full of awe for your lessons. This one in particular is one of my favorites. Thank you!
Hi Cecilie,
It’s a pleasure. Thanks a lot for your kind words about the lesson and the site; I’m very happy you find the lessons so useful.
All the best,
Kieran