B1 ESL Lesson Plan: How to Stop Negative Self-Talk

Lesson Summary

How can we respond more kindly to our inner criticism? This ESL video lesson plan explores negative self-talk through Tips on How to Stop Negative Self-Talk from a Clinical Psychologist. Designed for Intermediate (B1) to Upper Intermediate (B2) learners, it combines vocabulary development, video analysis, discussion and roleplay. Students also read Building a Kinder Inner Voice and examine eight practical approaches to developing more supportive self-talk.

Learning Objectives

• Understand negative self-talk and explore ways to respond to it.
• Build vocabulary related to thoughts, emotions and inner criticism.
• Develop viewing, listening and reading comprehension.
• Practise speaking and critical thinking through discussion and roleplay.
• Develop writing skills through reflection and creative tasks.
• Improve visual representing skills through multimodal homework.

Lesson Activities

• Discuss a quotation and share ideas about negative self-talk.
• Predict the video’s content and watch for key ideas.
• Answer comprehension questions and analyse the speaker’s advice.
• Practise offering support in a paired roleplay.
• Read an article and discuss its practical approaches.
• Complete writing activities and reflect on the lesson.
• Extend learning through multimodal homework tasks.

Learner Type

Mature teens and adults.

Language Level

Intermediate (B1) – Upper Intermediate (B2).

Language Focus

• Thoughts, emotions and responses to inner criticism.
• Giving advice and offering encouragement.
• Expressing feelings and discussing supportive self-talk.

Time

90–120 minutes.

Benefits for Learners:

• Develop communicative competence and confidence through integrated skill-building
• Expand vocabulary and improve listening and reading comprehension through repeated, meaningful exposure
• Think critically and creatively while exploring powerful social and emotional themes
• Strengthen emotional intelligence and intercultural awareness through affective engagement with multimodal texts

Watch the short video.

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We hope you enjoy this ESL video lesson plan.

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— The Film English Team

Transform Your English Classroom with the Multimodal Approach
This ESL video lesson plan is built around a thought-provoking short video and designed using the innovative Multimodal Approach, integrating listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and representing. Engage learners with real-world themes, develop communicative competence, build vocabulary and foster critical thinking through dynamic, research-informed activities. Find out more about the Multimodal Approach and join thousands of teachers transforming their classrooms with Film English.