This is an ESL video lesson about making decisions. Students watch a 30-second commercial and use different cognitive skills through 3 open-ended questions. 



In the first question ("Imagine what the penguins are trying to decide. Write down your best idea."), the imagination.



In the second question ("What is happening?") they have to explain the situation in their own words.



In the third question ("Let's say the penguins want to decide who will babysit their little sister. The big Penguin will help them decide. Guess how."), they have to use their inventiveness and think of other ways to make quick decisions.



In the fourth question, they have to listen to what the penguin says and fill in the missing word. (If you use it with lower level students, you can click copy-edit button below the video screen and delete the last question or change it and have them unscramble a mixed-up sentence).



I think making decisions is a part of our lives at every age, which is why I think this will be an interesting lesson for basically any age group. As for the language proficiency, I would feel confident trying it with Elementary (A1), Pre-intermediate (A2) and Intermediate (B1) students as the open-ended questions allow students to express their ideas freely on their own level. 



I thought of a few discussion questions. Use your judgement about which are relevant for your particular group. Or if you can't make up your mind, just roll a dice. :)

What does the penguin suggest in the end? Is it going to work? Why or why not?

What is the fourth words we say in a Rock, paper, scissors game? (Answer: Shoot!)

Can you play the Big Bang Theory version of Rock, paper, scissors: Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock?

Do we have any playful songs [in our language] to decide questions?

What do you do when you are indecisive? Do you ask someone? Do you use any helpful tool, e.g. a dice? 

Can you normally make up your mind (=make decisions) easily?

Say three things that are among the easiest things for you to decide.

Say three things that are among the hardest things for you to decide.

Ask students who can play the Big Bang Theory version of Rock, paper, scissors: Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock. Have someone teach the class. Then watch it from the Big Bang Theory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5Q6-wMx-K8

Put students in pairs. Have them practice Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock a little more until everyone feels confident. Have students make a small bet with a partner and decide who wins with 5 rounds of Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock. The bets could be, for example, a small chore the loser will do for the winner. You can ask a few pairs about their bets in the end.

Discuss with students: Do we have any playful songs [in our language] to decide questions?

A fun commercial for the Toronto Zoo's endangered African Penguins, in which two penguins are trying hard to decide something. 

Rock, Paper, Scissors - Lesson On Making Decisions & Settling Disputes

rock-paper-scissors-lesson-on-making-decisions-settling-disputes

Let's do English ESL deep listening: focus on meaning. This is an ESL video lesson about making decisions. Students watch a 30-second commercial and use differe…