LESSON OVERVIEW

In this lesson about life in the ‘90s, students watch two ads and practise talking about the past. They also compare life in different decades and plan a ‘90s themed party. 

This is a Speaking Class worksheet. It includes a variety of tasks that let your students practise their speaking skills. This lesson format does not focus on grammar or vocabulary. Learn more about it here.

VIDEOS & TALKING ABOUT THE PAST

In the warm-up activity, students look at some words and phrases (e.g. great music, plastic, simplicity) and choose two that say something about life in the ‘90s. They need to explain their choices. The teacher can encourage the students to tell what life stage they were at in the ‘90s, e.g. were children or started work. Students also study a language box to see how one can talk about different decades in English. Then, students watch the two ads and discuss some questions. They say whether they recognise the products and how the ads are different from today’s ads. Next, students look at some pictures presenting technologies and solutions used in the ‘90s. They need to say what their experience with them is. The pictures include a floppy disk, a compact camera and film, Walkman and cassette tapes, etc. The task is an opportunity for students to practise talking about the past. 

DISCUSSION & COMPARING

In the next task, students look at a list of TV shows from the ‘90s and discuss some questions. For instance, they say whether the TV shows had any influence on them. The worksheet also contains a link to a list of other ‘90s titles. The teacher can use the link if students don’t know the TV shows listed in the worksheet. Then, students compare the 1990s and the 2020s using some prompts. For example, they compare the values people had in the ‘90s with the values people have now. This task is another opportunity for students to practise talking about the past. Then, students read some statements and pick those that explain how they feel about the ‘90s. Finally, students imagine that they are throwing a 1990s-themed party. They need to consider some questions and plan what they will serve and the activities they will do (e.g. watch MTV, create mix tapes, do step aerobics, etc).