Lesson Topics: dating, the 1980s
Skill Focus: Listening, Speaking, Vocabulary
Approximate Class Time: 1.75 hours
Lesson Plan Download: dating-then-now-80s-upper-intermediate-102025.docx
- Foreword: This lesson is generally C1-level, so it should be accessible to stronger upper-intermediate students. The lesson's two videos don't contain a lot of complex vocabulary or language use. Nonetheless, I think the lesson should be engaging for students open to discussing dating and how it has changed since the era of their parents. If you'd like a lesson comparing dating to the 1990s, see the advanced lesson, which is slightly more complex in language.
- The lesson begins with warm-up questions about meeting people and dating.
- Next, students watch the first video input: a two-minute YouTube video with highlights from a late-1980s video dating service. In the video, several quirky women explain what kind of man they are looking for. The video has a heavy 1980s vibe.
- After comprehension and follow-up questions, students watch the men's edition of the video (2 mins). The video is similar to the ladies' video.
- The video is followed by its own set of comprehension and follow-up questions.
- For vocabulary, students match eight terms from the video to definitions and four idioms. Because most of the 80s idioms are dated, I've included five more modern idioms as well for matching.
- Next, students use the lesson's vocabulary to create questions to ask a partner.
- The lesson's one debate topic asks students to decide whether they'd rather date someone from the 1980s or today.
- The 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.
- As additional features, the lesson has a pick-up lines activity, a vocabulary review activity in which students describe a terrible and fantastic date, and an activity on the best questions for first dates.
- The lesson also features a few famous quotations and a review of the lesson's vocabulary.
- The lesson closes with some final discussion questions.
UPPER-INTERMEDIATE B2/C1 Lesson on Dating Then & 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.
Women’s Version Answer Key
1 - …
2 - Photography, travel, skiing, cuddling, weightlifting, driving a Porsche, collecting Oreos, singing, canoeing, keeping a clean car, cats, fireplace time
3 - To start her own religion
4 - …
5 - …
6 - …
Men’s Version Answer Key
1 – …
2 – Photography, travel, skiing, cuddling, taking pictures, Jeopardy contestant, roller-skating, canoeing, loving Oreo cookies, gym/weightlifting, driving Porsche, singing Anita Baker, keeping things clean, etc. (at least three examples acceptable)
3 – A claims adjuster investigates insurance claims (e.g. accidents, damages) to decide how much the insurance company should pay. Stereotypically seen as bureaucratic, cautious, or not very exciting work.
4 – …
5 – …
6 – One man said he was particularly attracted to black women and women of different races.
7 – …
Vocabulary answer key: 1-e, 2-d, 3-g, 4-b, 5-c, 6-f, 7-a
80s Slang answers: 1-a, 2-d, 3-b, 4-c
2020s slang: 1-b, 2-e, 3-c, 5-a
Vocab review answer key: 1-b, 2-g, 3-e, 4-a, 5-d, 6-f, 7-c
Collocations: 1-b, 2-c, 3-d, 4-a
[1] [Sources: https://www.downapp.com/dating/50-rizz-lines-to-flirt-like-a-pro/ , https://www.theknot.com/content/pick-up-lines ]