LESSON OVERVIEW

The main objectives of this speaking lesson on guilt are to:

• discuss specific things we feel guilty about;
• watch and discuss a video about ‘vacation guilt’;
• talk about opinions on guilt and how to deal with the feeling.

With this speaking lesson on guilt, students discuss questions about the emotion and look at things we feel guilty about (e.g. spending money). Students talk about guilty pleasures and read opinions about the emotion. They watch a video about ‘vacation guilt,’ discuss the idea, and come up with tips to combat it. Students also read hypothetical situations and provide reasons and ways to alleviate someone’s guilt. 

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.

WARM-UP AND VIDEO

This speaking lesson on guilt starts an optional vocabulary activity. Students learn expressions related to guilt containing the word ‘feel’ (e.g. feel judged, feel disappointed in oneself). They complete statements using the correct word provided in boxes. The following warm-up contains various questions related to guilty pleasures. Next, students read varied opinions about the emotion (e.g. We shouldn’t feel guilty about things that we can’t control). They explain if they agree or disagree and expand on their answer. After that, students look at different types of guilt and discuss why people might feel each type (e.g. about the environment, about one’s health). They need to provide examples to explain their points. 

DISCUSSION

This speaking lesson on guilt continues with a video. Before the video, students discuss some questions about vacation guilt to prepare them for the discussion. Then, they watch the video. After that, they read some of the information from the video in boxes and answer questions about it (e.g. Over 50% Americans don’t use all their vacation time – Is it the same in your country?). After that, students look at tips for dealing with vacation guilt and say if and how they might help (e.g. hiding your devices while on holiday). They also come up with more tips, if they can. Lastly, students respond to hypothetical concerns about guilt from a friend. They come up with one reason why they shouldn’t feel guilty and one action they can take to feel less guilty.