Lesson Topics: dating, the 1990s
Skill Focus: Listening, Speaking, Vocabulary
Approximate Class Time: 2 hours
Lesson Plan Download: dating-then-now-90s-advanced-102025.docx
- Foreword: If you'd prefer a lesson that contrasts dating today with the 1980s, see the upper-intermediate lesson, which is approximately C1-level.
- The lesson begins with warm-up questions about meeting people and dating.
- Next, students watch a 3-minute video that contrasts dating in the 1990s to the present day. The characters discuss which approach (meeting people in real life versus dating sites) is more authentic and efficient.
- The video is followed by comprehension questions.
- For vocabulary, students match nine terms from the video to definitions and then use them to create discussion questions to ask a partner.
- The lesson's one debate topic asks students to decide whether they'd rather date today or in the 1990s.
- Next, students review a list of eight traits and rank them in terms of importance when dating.
- The lesson's roleplay scenario involves a Korean mother and daughter. The daughter is considering breaking up with her boyfriend, and the mother must convince her to stick it out.
- Next, students review a list of eight pick-up lines and rank them from best to worst.
- To add a bit more vocabulary to the lesson, students then match five idioms to their definitions. This is followed by a vocabulary review activity in which students describe a terrible and fantastic date using the featured words.
- As a final speaking activity, students review the best questions for first dates.
- The lesson also features a few famous quotations and a review of the lesson's vocabulary and collocations.
- The lesson closes with some final discussion questions.
d
ADVANCED (C1/C2) Lesson on Dating in the 1990s & Now
Warm-up Questions
- How did your parents meet? Was dating harder or easier back then?
- What are the best ways to meet new people?
- Have you ever tried a dating service, digital or non-digital, or had a friend match you with someone?
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This lesson plan was created by Matthew Barton of EnglishCurrent.com (copyright). Site members may photocopy and edit the file for their classes. Permission is not given to rebrand the lesson, redistribute it on another platform, or sell it as part of commercial course curriculum. ChatGPT was used to generate answer keys and some famous quotations. For questions, contact the author.
Comprehension Question Answer Key
- The man prefers the “authentic,” personal style of the 1990s, while the woman defends the efficiency and accessibility of modern dating apps.
- He believes people met naturally, in person, without profiles or technology.
- She says it was inefficient and led to dating people with nothing in common.
- He thinks it prevents genuine discovery and limits people to superficial judgments.
- It reveals too much — such as an ex’s information — and can create bias or discomfort.
- In the 1990s, breakups were final; today, people stay digitally connected and keep tabs on exes.
- They want to see that their ex isn’t living happily without them.
- Technology has made dating faster and more convenient but also more superficial and dependent on constant digital contact.
Vocabulary answer key: 1-b, 2-i, 3-f, 4-a, 5-d, 6-h, 7-c, 8-e, 9-g
2020s slang: 1-b, 2-e, 3-c, 5-a
Collocations: 1-d, 2-a, 3-e, 4-b, 5-c
[1] [Sources: https://www.downapp.com/dating/50-rizz-lines-to-flirt-like-a-pro/ , https://www.theknot.com/content/pick-up-lines ]