‘The Boy Who Learned To Fly’ Lesson Plan
This ESL lesson plan is designed around a short film titled The Boy Who Learned to Fly based on the life of Usain Bolt and the theme of the Olympic Games. In the lesson students speak about sports and the Olympic Games, watch a short film, retell a story and write a summary of a story.
Check out the lesson planThis ESL lesson plan is designed around a short film titled The Boy Who Learned to Fly based on the life of Usain Bolt and the theme of the Olympic Games. In the lesson students speak about sports and the Olympic Games, watch a short film, retell a story and write a summary of a story.
Language level: Intermediate (B1) – Upper Intermediate (B2)
Learner type: Teens and adults
Time: 90 minutes
Activity: Watching a short film, speaking and writing
Topic: Usain Bolt, sport and the Olympic Games
Language: Vocabulary related to sports and the Olympic Games
Watch the film.
Check out the lesson plan
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We hope you enjoy this ESL lesson.
Kieran and the Film English Team
Check out the lesson plan
If I were to use this film in class, it would be as a starting point for a discussion about character, humility and the Olympic spirit. It would be about athletes who shamelessly and unselfishly help others, like the 5000 Metre runner who stopped to help another. In this film you show Bolt as selfish, and later as arrogant. Hardly, a role model.
Dear Bill,
Thanks for taking the time to comment. However, I have to say your comments leave me rather baffled. You say “you show Bolt as selfish, and later as arrogant.” I do no such thing- I don’t show Usain in any light, I only design a lesson plan around a film based on his life. Perhaps you meant to say that the film director shows him as selfish and arrogant which is one interpretation, but I’m sure lots of other viewers would see him in more positive terms. You also say that Usain Bolt is “hardly, a role model”. Nowhere in the lesson plan do I present Usain Bolt as a role model of any sort – I only use the film as a prompt for students to talk about characteristics and attributes of Olympic athletes in general, and to say what they know about Bolt and then to watch the film and to discuss and retell the story of his life.
As I don’t charge anything for the lesson plans I create, you are, of course, free to use the lesson plan and film in anyway you which or not use it at all. If you don’t like the lesson plan, I suggest you create your own lesson plan designed around the film and set up a blog or website so that you can share it with other teachers. Good luck with that!
Kieran
Hi there!
I loved the movie and your ideas on how to make the most of it. I don’t agree to what Bill said. It is up to us to decide to see and judge Bolt’s actions. Anyway, keep it up Kieran, you are awesome!
Hi Tania,
Thanks for commenting and for your kind words; I’m really happy you enjoy the lesson.
All the best,
Kieran
I think that aspect, whether or not he’s admirable (and how he comes across in the animation) actually adds a huge amount to this lesson. As always, a great choice of film!
The “making of” is also interesting.
Hi Tom,
Yes, I agree that the Bolt’s character adds something to the film and the lesson, but I leave that up to the students to decide how they think he comes across and what they think of him. Yes, the making of is great too.
All the best,
Kieran
Hey Kieran,
Thanks for a great lesson plan based on a useful film. I especially enjoyed reading you comments above, ha, reminds me of when people critises my book. Anyway, look forward to some more films on English.
Barry
Hi Barry,
Thanks for taking the time to comment and for the kind words. Best of luck with your book!
Cheers,
Kieran
Hi Kieran-
My students always enjoy the lessons you have put together. Thank you! This film was a great way to start discussing plot structure using a current topic.
Thanks again!
Susan
Hi Susan,
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I’m very happy you and your students enjoy the lessons 🙂
All the best,
Kieran
Great lesson plan! Let´s see if my students also enjoy it!
Hope you carry on with your work.
Cheers,
Joao
Hi Joao,
I hope you’re students enjoy it too 🙂
All the best,
Kieran
Hello Kieran.
Once again you offer us another great lesson plan and short film.I’ve shared it with my colleagues and we agreed to use it in our first class.
Thank you for your suggestions, help and kindness.
All the best,
Ana Paula
Hi Ana Paula,
Thanks very much for commenting and for your kind words and support.
All the best,
Kieran
Can you please put the tapescripts so that we can give it to our students after the class?
Hi Seyma,
I’m sorry, but I haven’t got time to transcribe the films. Selecting the films and writing the lesson plans takes up a lot of my time – on average 8-10 hours. As you know, the lessons are completely free, and I can’t afford to give up more of my time to transcribe films. If you want the transcription, you’ll have to do it yourself.
Best wishes,
Kieran
Hello Kieran
I personally used the film to get students to work on personality adjectives and basic information questions ,by groups ,since they are second year .They loved it.
Hi Mireille,
Thanks for commenting. I like the way you’ve adapted the materials.
All the best,
Kieran
Hi Kieran,
My students and I loved this. My students liked the way he was encouraged by people to do well and believe in himself. We’re following it up this week with them choosing an Olympian from their own country to present to the class.
Btw have bought your book as I use your site a lot.
Best wishes,
Fiona
Hi Fiona,
Thanks a lot for taking the time to comment and for letting me know how the lesson went – sounds great! Thank you too for buying my book – much appreciated 🙂
Best wishes,
Kieran
Hello Kieran.
I used the film in writing test (elementary level). I asked them to rewrite the story and they had to mention internal struggle Usain experienced and the advice from his mother. The film is interesting and helpful. Thanks for sharing.
Best regards from Indonesia.
Wendy
Hi Wendy,
I’m very happy to hear the film worked well as a wriitng test.
Cheers,
Kieran