ESL CONNECT

Talking About Films and TV

A B1 ESL CONNECT lesson on talking about films and TV, helping learners describe plots, give opinions and make recommendations.

Section 1
Stage 1 — Warm-up
Films, TV and your opinions
5 minutes · Discussion and context
People watching a film in a cinema with warm dramatic lighting
Lesson preview

Talk about films and TV with more detail and confidence

This lesson helps learners describe plots, give balanced opinions, recommend series, and discuss strengths and weaknesses using richer review language.

B1CEFR level
40 minInteractive lesson
6 stagesFilm discussion flow

Discuss with your partner:

1. What was the last film or TV series that really impressed you? Why?

2. Do you prefer watching films at home or at the cinema? What are the advantages of each?

3. What is the difference between a film you "enjoyed" and a film you thought was "well-made"? Can a film be both?

Teacher note: At B1 students move from simple likes/dislikes to giving reasons, comparing, and discussing themes. Introduce: "I found it..." / "What I liked most was..." / "I was a bit disappointed because..." Focus on past tenses for plot summaries and adjective variety.

Today's scenario — two friends discussing what to watch and reviewing a recent film:

Student A

You recently watched a drama series called The Broken Hours (fictional). A slow-burn thriller about a detective solving a mystery in a remote village. You loved the atmosphere and acting but thought the ending was disappointing.

Student B

You have not seen it. You enjoy thrillers and crime dramas. You want to know if it is worth watching. You ask questions and give your own opinions on similar shows you have seen.

Film reviewRecommendationOpinion language
5 min
Stage 2 — Vocabulary
Film review vocabulary
10 minutes · Gap-fill exercise
Click a word from the box, then click a blank. Hover for definitions.
gripping
plot twist
overrated
performance
atmosphere
binge-watch
soundtrack
cliffhanger

Complete the sentences with the correct word from the box.

I could not stop watching — the story was absolutely from start to finish.

There was a huge in the final episode that completely changed the story.

I think that film is a bit — everyone loves it but I found it quite ordinary.

The lead actor's was outstanding — she completely deserved the award.

The dark, rainy settings created a wonderful — it felt very tense and mysterious.

I ed the whole series in one weekend — I could not stop.

The was incredible — the music added so much emotion to the story.

The episode ended on a huge — I immediately started the next one.

10 min
Stage 3 — Functional language
Phrases for discussing films and TV
8 minutes · Study and practise

Giving an overview

It's a slow-burn thriller set in a remote Scottish village.
It follows a detective who is trying to solve a series of mysterious disappearances.
The story is told from the perspective of the main character's daughter.
It's a six-part series — each episode is about an hour long.

Recommending and reviewing

I would definitely recommend it — especially if you like crime dramas.
The first episode is a bit slow, but it gets much better.
What I liked most was the atmosphere — it felt very dark and unsettling.
I was a bit disappointed by the ending — it felt rushed.

Agreeing and disagreeing about opinions

I know what you mean — I felt the same about a similar show.
Really? I actually thought that kind of ending worked quite well.
I see your point, but for me the characters made up for it.
That's interesting — I had the opposite reaction to that scene.

Asking for more detail

Is it the kind of thing you can watch in the background, or does it need your full attention?
Does it get better after the first episode?
How many series are there?
Is it based on a book or an original story?

Talking about what makes TV good

What makes it stand out is the quality of the writing.
The casting is perfect — every actor really suits their role.
It deals with some quite serious themes, but in a very human way.
The pacing is slow, but that's what makes it so tense.
The key to natural film conversation is going beyond "I liked it / I didn't like it." Say WHY — use specific examples from the film and vocabulary like "atmosphere", "pacing", and "performance" to sound natural and precise.
8 min
Stage 4 — Question forms
Film and TV grammar drill
10 minutes · Multiple choice
10 min
Stage 5 — Role play
The film recommendation conversation
12 minutes · Pair work
How to use: Student A reviews the fictional series. Student B asks questions and gives opinions on similar shows. Agree or disagree — use phrases from Stage 3.
Student B — Friend
Have you watched anything good recently? I'm looking for something new to start.
Student A — Recommender
[Recommend The Broken Hours. Say it is a slow-burn thriller set in a remote village. Say who the main character is.]
Student B — Friend
That sounds interesting. Is it the kind of thing you have to concentrate on, or can you watch it casually?
Student A — Recommender
[Say it needs your full attention — it is quite slow at first. But say it is very rewarding. Mention the atmosphere.]
Student B — Friend
I love a slow-burn thriller. How many episodes is it? Is it still going, or is it finished?
Student A — Recommender
[Say there is one series of six episodes, each about an hour long. Say it is complete — no second series yet.]
Student B — Friend
What did you like most about it?
Student A — Recommender
[Say what you liked: the atmosphere, the lead performance, the writing. Give one specific example of a scene or moment that stood out.]
Student B — Friend
Was there anything you didn't like?
Student A — Recommender
[Be honest — say you were a bit disappointed by the ending. Explain why without spoiling too much.]
Student B — Friend
A weak ending is so frustrating! I had the same problem with a show I watched recently — the last episode felt really rushed. I know exactly what you mean.
Student A — Recommender
[Agree and relate to their experience. Ask what show they are talking about. Ask if they would still recommend it despite the ending.]
Student B — Friend
[Name a show. Say the first two series were brilliant but the third series was a letdown. Ask Student A if they want to watch The Broken Hours together.]
Student A — Recommender
[Respond enthusiastically. Agree on when. Ask if they want to start with the first episode this weekend.]

Swap roles — use a real film or series!

This time both students use a real film or TV series they have actually seen. Student B recommends something to Student A and reviews it honestly — including any weaknesses.

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

Today's lesson

B1 — Intermediate

Talking About Films and TV

~40 minutes

What you practised:

8 film review vocabulary words: gripping, plot twist, overrated, cliffhanger, and more
Phrases for 5 film conversation functions: overview, recommendation, agreeing/disagreeing, asking for detail, analysing what makes TV good
6 grammar drills: "disappointed by", relative clauses, conditional recommendations, binge-watching vocabulary
A film recommendation role play with a fictional series, then a real-film extension

Homework ideas:

1. Write a short film or TV review (100-120 words) using at least 5 vocabulary words from this lesson. Include what you liked and what could be improved.
2. Find a film review in English online. Identify 5 opinion phrases the writer uses. Write them down and note what function each one has.
3. With a partner, practise recommending a real series without naming it. The other person must guess what it is from your description.
Great work! Film and TV is one of the richest topics for English practice. The vocabulary and structures you learned today can be used in any conversation about culture and entertainment.