What is this lesson about?

Almost every adult learner belongs to at least one group chat, and almost all of them have strong opinions about it. This lesson gets students talking about the chats they love, the ones they have muted and the ones they would leave if it weren’t so awkward. Through relatable situations, honest self-assessment and a short choice between two viewpoints, students explore what group chats say about friendship, family and work, and why replying can feel like such a big decision.

What language will students learn?

Students practise natural, everyday language for talking about messaging and online social life, including expressions for ignoring, catching up on and leaving conversations, and for giving opinions about other people’s habits.

How do students practise?

• Reacting to realistic group chat messages

• Choosing between ‘this or that’ pairs and explaining why

• Deciding which statements are true for them

• Discussing how they use group chats and how they feel about them

• Ranking the most irritating group chat types in small groups

• Choosing how they would respond to awkward group chat situations

• Agreeing, disagreeing or partly agreeing with opinions

• Weighing up two viewpoints on group chats and friendship

• Telling a personal story about a group chat that mattered

  
  

Why is this lesson useful?

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to…

• describe their own messaging habits and explain the reasons behind them

• react to awkward social situations and justify their choices

• agree, disagree and partly agree with opinions, giving clear reasons

• compare two viewpoints and explain where they personally sit

• tell a short personal story about an online group in detail

  
  

Who is it for?

B1-B2 adult learners in one-to-one or group classes. It works especially well for students who use messaging apps every day, and it needs no preparation beyond printing the worksheet.