Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Practice using expressions to support or challenge opinions
- Use natural spoken English, including slang and phrasal verbs
- Build confidence expressing agreement and disagreement in casual debates
Warmer
Answer the question
Have you ever considered taking time off from school or work? Why or why not?
Pre-listening
Have you ever been stuck in an elevator or weird situation? What happened?
How do you stay calm when things get weird or out of control?
Pre-listening vocabulary
Read the sentences and guess the meaning of the words in bold.
- I’m low-key excited about the idea of traveling for a year.
- His whole plan sounds like a hot mess waiting to happen.
- She doesn’t even have a plan—she’s just winging it!
- I tried to talk my parents into letting me take a year off.
- You’re being a little extra about this whole university thing.
- He keeps pushing for us to book a one-way ticket.
- That volunteer program sounds kinda sketchy, to be honest. It might be a scam.
- Honestly, quitting school to hike in Peru is so on brand for her.
- My dad eventually came around to the idea.
- She totally shot down my plan in front of everyone.
Matching exercise
Vocabulary Gap-fill
Listening
Listening for Gist
Comprehension Questions
Listen again and answer the questions.
Key Phrases
Text
Alex: Okay, don’t freak out, but… I’m taking a gap year.
Sam: Wait—what? Are you serious? That sounds like a hot mess waiting to happen.
Alex: I’m low-key over everything. I need a break before I lose it.
Sam: I don’t buy it. You just don’t wanna write another essay.
Alex: Let’s be real—college just isn’t what I need right now. I’m kinda just winging it.
Sam: Sure, but it’s that or wind up in some sketchy hostel in Bolivia.
Alex: That’s the dream! Backpack, volunteer, maybe teach English somewhere.
Sam: You realize that sounds completely made up, right?
Alex: My cousin did it—said it changed her life.
Sam: She also lives in a van and makes candles now.
Alex: Wow. You’re really being extra today.
Sam: I’m just saying—it’s risky. What if you never come back to school? What did your parents say?
Alex: I talked my parents into it. Eventually, they came around.
Sam: I’m impressed. My mom would’ve shot it down in two seconds.
Alex: Yours would’ve signed you up for orientation while you were sleeping.
Sam: Honestly, facts. She’s still pushing for me to double major.
Alex: I’ve always loved taking risks. So maybe I’m just… on brand.
Sam: Yeah, chaos is definitely your aesthetic.
Alex: Look, you do you. But for me, I need this.
Sam: Fair enough. Just don’t call me when you lose your passport.
Alex: And don’t hate when I’m riding a camel through Morocco.
Post-listening activity
Discussion Questions
Answer the questions
What would you do: gap year or straight to uni? Why?
Do you think taking a year off helps or hurts your career?
How would your family react if you wanted a gap year?
Have you ever tried to talk someone into or out of something?
When is it okay to shoot down someone’s idea?
Role Play 1
You and your friend are sitting at a diner. One of you is planning to take a gap year; the other thinks it’s a bad idea.
Role A:
You want to take a gap year. You feel stressed, want to travel, and think it’s important for personal growth.
Role B:
You think going straight to university is more responsible. You’re worried about falling behind, losing motivation, or wasting time.
Your Tasks:
Try to talk the other person into your point of view.
Use at least 5 vocabulary words and 2 key expressions from the lesson
(e.g. “I don’t buy it,” “Let’s be real,” “low-key,” “hot mess”).
Keep the tone realistic and casual. Feel free to disagree, but stay respectful.
Debate
Debate topic- Taking a gap year vs. Going straight to college/university/work.
Position 1: A gap year is a smart life decision that builds character and experience.
Position 2: A gap year is risky and unnecessary, and delays your future.
Instructions:
Split into pairs or small groups.
Each group assigns roles:
Pro Gap Year (defends the idea)
Anti Gap Year (challenges the idea)
Take 5 minutes to prepare 3 strong arguments using at least 3 vocabulary words and 1 key expression from the lesson.
Debate for 2–3 minutes. Keep it casual, like a real conversation—not a speech.
After the debate, switch sides and argue the opposite view for 2 minutes.
