CONNECT
Creativity Is Learnable
B2 lesson on creativity, curiosity, innovation, problem-solving and generating ideas.
Can Creativity Be Learned?
This B2 lesson helps students discuss whether creativity is a natural talent or a skill that can be developed by creating the right conditions.
- Do you think people are born creative, or can creativity be learned?
- When do you feel most creative: under pressure, when relaxed, or when working with other people?
- Can doing something boring or unfamiliar lead to a useful idea?
- What habits help you remember and develop new ideas?
Prep Part 1
Match the key words before watching the first part.
Questions
Watch Part 1
Watch from 0:00 to about 1:08. Focus on why creativity can be learned.
Tapescript Gap Fill: First Minute
Listen to the first minute of the video. Complete the tapescript with the 8 missing words.
Complete the text
For far too long, people have sorted themselves into two — those who are creative and those who aren't. Like any trait, self-selected, non-creatives have believed they were simply born without the creative . But according to bestselling author Joseph Grenny, creativity is actually . Grenny arrived at this revelation when he found himself in way over his head on a project in . He'd been tasked with generating self-help strategies to propel Kenya's poorest citizens up the economic . The problem was Grenny had zero doing this. So like all of us, he hoped and prayed that ideas would come, and they did. The project was a . But in hindsight, Grenny realized he'd actually been doing much more than merely invoking help from the for solutions.
Comprehension 1
Click each question to reveal the answer.
Vocabulary from Part 1
Prep Part 2
Match the ideas before watching the second part.
Questions
Watch Part 2
Watch from about 1:08 to the end. Focus on the practical principles for becoming more creative.
Comprehension 2
Click each question to reveal the answer.
Vocabulary from Part 2
Vocabulary Review
Review key B2 creativity vocabulary from the video.
| Word / phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| creative gene | the idea that creativity is something you are born with | Some people think they lack the creative gene. |
| learnable | possible to learn | Creativity is learnable. |
| in over your head | in a situation that feels too difficult | Grenny was in over his head. |
| revelation | a surprising realisation | He arrived at a revelation. |
| frame the problem | define a problem clearly | Frame the problem before looking for ideas. |
| obey your curiosity | follow what interests you | Obey your curiosity and explore new paths. |
| chore | a boring or unpleasant task | Some tasks begin as a chore. |
| insight | a new understanding or useful idea | A chore can end with an insight. |
| grapple with | try hard to understand or deal with | Uncomfortable conversations make us grapple with other perspectives. |
| jot down | write quickly | Jot down ideas when they come. |
Vocabulary Gap Fill
Drag the correct word or phrase into each sentence.
Grammar: Advice and Conditions
Use B2 structures to explain how people can create the right conditions for creativity.
| Structure | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| can + verb | ability or possibility | You can become more creative. |
| should + verb | advice | You should frame the problem clearly. |
| If + present, will / can + verb | condition and result | If you collect experiences, you will have more ideas to connect. |
| by + -ing | method | You can invite creativity by obeying your curiosity. |
Grammar Exercise 1: Complete the sentences
Grammar Exercise 2: Reveal the correction
Grammar Exercise 3: Sentence Transformations
It is possible to learn creativity.
Frame the problem clearly before looking for solutions.
Collecting experiences gives you more ideas to connect.
Obey your curiosity to invite creativity.
Discussion
Use the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson.
- Why do some people think they are not creative?
- Which of Grenny’s tips seems most useful?
- Why might uncomfortable conversations increase creativity?
- Do you usually follow your curiosity or ignore it?
- What boring task once taught you something useful?
- How can schools or companies create better conditions for creativity?
Useful Language
| Giving opinions | Giving advice | Talking about creativity |
|---|---|---|
| I’d argue that... From my point of view... I’m not convinced that... | You should... You can... If you..., you will... | Creativity can be invited by... An insight can come from... The right conditions are... |
Role Play: Creativity Coach
Practise giving advice to someone who thinks they are not creative.
Student A: “Non-Creative” Person
Explain why you think you are not creative and describe a problem you need ideas for.
Student B: Creativity Coach
Use Grenny’s principles to help Student A find new ideas.
Challenge
Use at least four phrases from the grammar section.
| Student A language | Coach language |
|---|---|
| I don’t think I’m creative because... I’m stuck with... I usually avoid... | You can... You should... If you..., you will... Try inviting creativity by... |