LESSON OVERVIEW
The main objectives of this CRC lesson are to:
- discuss mockumentaries and other comedy series;
- learn vocabulary to describe humorous TV programmes;
- discuss opinions on TV shows and consider ideas for series.
With this lesson plan, students explore the concept of mockumentaries (e.g. The Office, Modern Family) and discuss other comedy programmes. They learn adjectives to describe TV shows (e.g. feel-good, exaggerated, etc.) and share opinions about ones they’ve seen. They discuss questions about aspects of comedy shows in general (e.g. laugh tracks, changes in humour). They also look at proposals for potential TV shows and discuss to what extent they would be successful, as well as considering some other features.
This is a Critical Reading Club worksheet. With this format, students need to read an online article at home and do the exercises in the classroom. Learn more about how to use such worksheets and their benefits in our post.
ACTIVITIES
This lesson begins with a warm-up where students analyse the last comedy show they watched and consider what made it humorous (e.g. plot, dialogue), Then, students complete statements about famous TV shows using descriptive vocabulary (e.g. candid, reminiscent, etc.). After that, students practise the vocabulary by discussing the points and stating to what extent they agree or disagree. They also have to think of some shows that they have watched, and describe them using the target vocabulary. Next, students discuss some general questions about comedy shows (e.g. other genres they know, shows they recommend). Lastly, students consider some ideas for comedy shows and discuss them according to some guiding points (e.g. what the characters would be like, if something similar exists, etc.).