What is this lesson about?

We all judge people within minutes of meeting them, and they judge us just as quickly. This lesson gets B1-B2 learners talking about how they come across, what they notice first in other people, and the times they got someone completely wrong. Through relatable situations such as job interviews, first dates and meeting a partner’s parents, students explore whether first impressions really matter and whether we should trust them.

What language will students learn?

Students practise natural, everyday English for describing personality, talking about how people seem and giving advice. The language comes up through the speaking tasks rather than as a list to learn.

How do students practise?

●       Describing how they come across and how they’d like to

●       Choosing what they notice first about new people

●       Discussing first impressions at work, online and across cultures

●       Deciding which statements are true for them

●       Choosing which behaviours make a worse first impression

●       Deciding how to handle awkward first meetings

●       Agreeing on tips for interviews, first dates and first days

●       Agreeing, disagreeing and partly agreeing with opinions

●       Weighing up two viewpoints on trusting first impressions

●       Telling a story about a time they got someone wrong

Why is this lesson useful?

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

●       describe personality and first impressions using natural adjectives and expressions

●       explain how they come across and how they’d like to come across

●       tell a personal story about changing their mind about someone

Who is it for?

B1-B2 adult learners in one-to-one or group classes, online or in person. The instructions work equally well one-to-one and in groups, and the lesson needs no preparation beyond printing the worksheet.