ESL CONNECT

Talking About Films and TV

An A2 ESL CONNECT lesson on talking about films and TV, helping learners describe what they watched, give simple opinions and recommend shows.

Section 1
Stage 1 — Warm-up
Do you like films?
5 minutes · Simple discussion
People watching a film in a cinema with popcorn
Lesson preview

Talk about films and TV with confidence

This lesson helps learners describe films, talk about story and actors, say what they liked, and recommend something to a friend using clear A2 English.

A2CEFR level
40 minInteractive lesson
6 stagesFilm practice

Talk to your partner. Use simple sentences:

1. Do you like films? Do you like TV series?

2. What was the last film you watched? Was it good?

3. Look at the genres below. Which do you like? Which do you not like?

Film and TV genres — do you know these words?

🎩 Action
😱 Horror
😂 Comedy
❤️ Romance
🔬 Sci-fi
🌞 Drama
🔭 Thriller
🎬 Animation
Simple likes/dislikesGenre wordsPast simple
Teacher note: Drill the A2 core: "I like / I don't like / I love / I hate + noun/verb-ing." Teach: "I thought it was..." and "It was about..." as simple review phrases. Model: "I watched a comedy last night. It was very funny. I loved it."
5 min
Stage 2 — Vocabulary
Film and TV words
10 minutes · Gap-fill
Click a word. Then click a blank. Click a filled blank to remove it.
subtitles
scene
actor
episode
boring
cinema
comedy
ending

Put the correct word in each gap.

My favourite is very funny. He makes me laugh in every film.

I love films — they always make me happy.

There is a very exciting at the end of the film — I was on the edge of my seat!

The film was very . I fell asleep after twenty minutes.

I did not like the — it was very sad.

I watch foreign films with because I cannot understand the language.

Let's go to the on Friday evening. There is a new film I want to see.

I watched three s of the series last night — I could not stop!

10 min
Stage 3 — Useful phrases
How to talk about films
8 minutes · Study and practise

Saying what you watched

I watched a film last night.
I saw an action film at the cinema.
I am watching a new TV series.
I finished the second series of a drama show.

Saying what it was about

It was about a man who travels to space.
It was about two friends on a road trip.
The story is about a family in the future.

Saying if you liked it

I loved it! It was amazing.
It was really funny.
It was very boring. I didn't like it.
I thought it was OK — not great, not bad.

Asking your partner

Did you like it?
What was it about?
Who was in it?
Would you recommend it?
Practise these sentences out loud. Talking about films is a great way to practise English — it is interesting AND useful!
8 min
Stage 4 — Grammar practice
Likes, dislikes and simple past
10 minutes · Choose the correct answer
10 min
Stage 5 — Role play
Talking about a film you watched
12 minutes · Pair work
How to use: Student A saw a film last night. Student B asks questions. Use short, simple sentences. It is OK to look at Stage 3!
Student A — Film watcher

You watched a film last night. Choose any film you know. Think about: Was it good? What was it about? Who was in it? Would you recommend it?

Student B — Friend

Ask Student A questions about the film. Use the questions from Stage 3. Say what kind of films you like. Ask for a recommendation.

Student B — Friend
Hey! Did you do anything last night?
Student A — Film watcher
[Say yes — you watched a film. Say the name of a film you know. Say it was a comedy / action / drama.]
Student B — Friend
Oh really? Was it good?
Student A — Film watcher
[Say if you liked it or not. Use: "I loved it" / "It was really funny" / "It was a bit boring."]
Student B — Friend
What was it about?
Student A — Film watcher
[Describe the story in simple sentences. Use: "It was about a person who..."]
Student B — Friend
Who was in it? Do you know the actors?
Student A — Film watcher
[Name one actor if you know one. Or say: "I don't know the actors' names."]
Student B — Friend
Would you recommend it?
Student A — Film watcher
[Say yes or no. Give one reason why.]
Student B — Friend
I want to watch something tonight. What kind of films do you like?
Student A — Film watcher
[Say two genres you like and one you don't like. Use: "I love... but I don't like..."]
Student B — Friend
[Pick a genre you like. Ask Student A to recommend a film in that genre.]
Student A — Film watcher
[Recommend a film. Say the genre and why it is good. Use simple sentences.]

Swap roles!

Now Student B talks about a TV series they are watching. Student A asks the questions.

12 min
Stage 6 — Summary
Lesson complete!
5 minutes · Review

Today's lesson

A2 — Elementary

Talking About Films and TV

~40 minutes

What you practised:

8 film and TV vocabulary words: actor, scene, episode, subtitles, and more
Phrases to say what you watched, describe the story, say if you liked it, and ask questions
6 grammar exercises: past simple, "boring" vs "bored", "should" for recommendations
A simple film conversation role play

Homework:

1. Write 5 sentences about a film or TV show you like. Use: "It was about...", "I loved it because...", "I recommend it."
2. Look up your favourite film in English. Write its title, genre, and one sentence about the story.
3. With a partner, practise recommending a film. Use only phrases from Stage 3.
Well done! Talking about films and TV is one of the most enjoyable ways to practise English. Keep watching and keep talking!