This lesson is designed around a beautiful and inspiring short film by called Validation. Students practise using positive adjectives and paying compliments, and write a narrative.
Language level: Intermediate (B1) – Advanced (C1)
Learner type: All ages
Time: 90 minutes
Activity: Watching short film, speaking reading and writing
Topic: Paying compliments and being positive
Language: Positive adjectives and compliments
Materials: Short film and worksheet
Downloable materials: validation lesson instructions paying compliments worksheet
Step 1
Put your students into pairs and give them 3 minutes them to come up with as many positive adjectives to describe a person as they can. Get feedback from the whole class.
Step 2
Ask your students if they know different ways of paying compliments. Ask for examples of compliments.
Step 3
Pay compliments to different students in the following ways:
- to be + adjective.
For example, “Maria, you’re so thoughtful”
- Have got + adjective + noun.
For example, “Xavi, you’ve got a great sense of humour.”
3. Verbs eg. suit, match, flatter
For example, “Anna, that dress really suits you.”
Step 4
Put students into small groups and give them the worksheet. Ask them to write down compliments about the other students in their group using the 3 different constructions. When they have finished writing the compliments they should read them out to the other members of the group.
Step 5
Tell your students that they are going to watch a short film in which they will hear a lot of compliments. Give them another copy of the worksheet and ask them to put the compliments they hear into the correct category in the worksheet.
Validation from grzegor on Vimeo.
Step 6
After watching the film the students should compare their answers.
Step 7
Ask your students the following questions:
- Did you enjoy the film?
- How did the film make you feel?
- Does saying nice things to people make a difference?
- Does the film have a message?
Homework
Give students a link to the film and ask them to write a story describing what they saw and heard in the film using as many adjectives as possible to describe the story, people and situations.
I hope you enjoy the lesson.
Great film, I remember seeing it somewhere, but you’re ‘amazing’
…the way you create lessons out of anything. I’m back on your list and love receiving your lessons. Thank you.
Hi Jean,
It’s great to hear from you again; I missed receiving your comments and I’m glad you’re back on the subscription list (sorry about the technology hitch). Thanks so much for your kind comments. Have a great 2013.
All the best,
Kieran
You’re Awesomeeeeeeeeeeeee!!
Another great lesson. I gotta use this in the beginning of the semester in February.
Thanks Kieran.
Hi Rose,
Thanks a lot for your kind comments; I’m just happy that you like the lessons so much. Happy 2013!
All the best,
Kieran
Thank you SO MUCH for this lesson Kieran! I think I´m going to use it for end-of-term class next March with my B1 Students… It´s so positive … We need something like this in this tough moment of our rough times…
YOU ARE AWESOME !!!!!!
Hi Carmen,
Thanks so much for your kind words, Carmen, I really appreciate them. It’s great to know you like the lesson so much.
All the best,
Kieran
OMG! That’s an amazing video!! I smiled and cried at the same time, do you believe it? Thank you so much, Kieran. You are so kind. And I am totally going to use this in my classes. Happy new year!!!
Hi Iracema,
Happy new year to you too! Thanks a lot for your kind comments, I’m really happy that you like the lesson.
All the best,
Kieran
Hi Kieran,
many thanks for this. I really enjoyed it! I’m always looking for new alternative film lessons for my teenagers. I’m sure they’ll love it.
Keep you posted
Happy New Year!
Hi Valentina,
Thanks a lot for commenting; I’m really glad you like the lessons, I hope your students do too. Let me know how the lessons go if you use them, please.
All the best,
Kieran
Where do you always dig these amazing films out? I love this lesson!! Great way to start the new year with my students! Thank you
Hi Billie,
Great to know you like the lesson so much; I hope you r students like it too.
All the best,
Kieran
Watching this film made my day and using this lesson in class will make my students´day!!! Thank you so much for this thoughtful idea!!
Hi Maria,
Thanks a lot for commenting. Great to know that the film made your day!
All the best,
Kieran
This is excellent, many thanks. However, I was already to use it today when I had broadband problems (not enough width) using You Tube. This can happen here (France)quite often. So I couldn’t do the lesson. A real shame. Any ideas how to get round this, as we cannot download You Tube/Vimeo etc. any more. Best, Susan
Hi Susan,
Thanks a lot. Would it be possible to download the video at home, put it on a pendrive and then use it in class?
All the best,
Kieran
It was great!I’m still smiling…. so cool. indeed, we’ve forgotten how to smile, or just smile like robots. I’m sure my students’ll enjoy It.Thank you so much.
Hi Manana,
Thanks a lot for commenting: I’m really glad the lesson put a smile on your face; I hope your students enjoy it too
All the best,
Kieran
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I used this film with a not-so-easy class and even the most dispirited students enjoyed it; it’s a great way to talk about the use of positive adjectives and it raises very interesting questions. I also enjoyed myself because it allowed me so much more than just teaching grammar. Thank you!
Hi Gloria,
Thanks a lot for commenting: I’m really glad the lesson went well with your students enjoy.
All the best,
Kieran
That’s the best film I’ve ever seen; I really feel very happy after it
and it helps always to keep smile on my face. I find your site really useful to help me learn English. Thanks for sharing!
Saeed
Hi Saeed,
It’s a pleasure. I’m glad you the lessons help you learn English.
All the best,
Kieran