B1 ESL Video Lesson Plan: Is Social Media Killing Real Friendship?

📝 Lesson Summary
This engaging ESL video lesson plan is built around the short video We’re Lonelier than Ever — And There’s One Big Reason and explores the timely theme of real-life versus digital friendship. It is suitable for Upper Intermediate (B2) to Advanced (C1) learners and is ideal for teens and adults interested in discussing how social media impacts our connections with others.

🧠 Learning Objectives
Students will:

• Explore the theme of real-life versus digital friendship

• Expand vocabulary related to character, human connection, and social media

• Develop viewing, listening, and reading comprehension skills

• Improve speaking fluency through guided discussion and structured roleplay

• Enhance writing skills through reflective and creative tasks

• Practise critical thinking about social relationships in the digital age

• Build visual representing skills through a multimodal homework project

🎬 Lesson Activities
Over the course of this 90–120 minute ESL video lesson plan, students will:

• Talk about the concept of friendship and its changing nature in a digital world

• Discuss quotations about friendship and social connection

• Predict the content of a short video based on its title and theme

• Watch the video and complete comprehension and analysis tasks

• Write about what they’ve learned from the video

• Perform a roleplay exploring a social dilemma or scenario

• Read an article titled From Likes to Love: Can Online Relationships Thrive?

• Answer reading comprehension questions and analyse key ideas

• Engage in discussion around the article’s themes and apply personal insights

• Reflect on the lesson and their own use of social media

👥 Learner Type
Ideal for teens and adults at B2–C1 level

📚 Language Focus
Vocabulary related to:

• Character traits and personality

• Human connection and social bonding

• Digital communication and social media

Watch the short video.

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We hope you enjoy this ESL video lesson plan.

Thanks for being part of the Film English community, and happy teaching!
— The Film English Team