A video that can be used to open discussion as to the value of social media in our everyday lives.

Have you got a Facebook account? If so how often do you check it? If not, why don’t you have one?

What’s are the best and worst things about Facebook?

Have you ever contacted or would you contact an old friend through Facebook?

Do you share anything on the Internet? If so, what do you share?

Do you know anyone who overshares on Facebook?

Have you ever unfriended anyone on Facebook? If so, why?

What’s the difference between a friend and a Facebook friend?

Do you know anyone who regrets posting or sharing something on Facebook? What did they post or share?

If you were a boss recruiting people for your company, would you check their Facebook accounts?

Do you think Facebook is only for people who aren’t good at meeting people face to face?

Show the film again, this time pause every time the man updates his Facebook status. Focus on: • non-standard spelling such as tonite, clubbin and gr8. • hashtags such as #followyourdreams, #hunk • Expressions such as quit my dead-end job, my life sucks and hide all posts. 

Ask the students what the film’s message is. Elicit  that the film shows that Facebook can make people unhappy as you may compare yourselves with other people who seem to have a happier more fulfilling life than you, and that people often exaggerate or lie on Facebook about what’s happening in their lives. Ask the learners if they agree with the film’s message.

Give the students the social media discussion questions in which they practice the social media vocabulary from Step 1. Pair them and ask them to choose 6 of the questions to discuss.

What’s on your mind? (refer to vocabulary list for definitions) Worksheet “Have you seen Mary’s status update on Facebook?” “You can’t see the video because you haven’t scrolled down the page enough.” “Can you believe that Pete unfriended me because I’m going out with his ex?” “I’m following Tom Hanks on Twitter; he’s my favourite actor.” “This video’s so cool! I’m going to share it on Facebook.” “The photo of my new car got 300 likes on Facebook yesterday.” “I was so sick and tired of reading all the details of Anne’s day on Twitter, I just unfollowed her.” “Oh my God! Tony’s oversharing again. He’s just posted 5 status updates and uploaded 25 photos of his new girlfriend!”

Give the students the social media vocabulary worksheet. Pair the students and ask them to read the sentences and try to work out the meaning of the words and expressions in bold.

Elicit or explain the meaning of the words and expressions. Tell the students they are going to watch a short film titled What’s on your mind? Ask them if they know what this expression means. Explain or elicit it literally means “what are you thinking?”, but is now better known as the question used on the Facebook status. As the students watch their task is to identify why the film is called What’s on your mind? Show the film.

Please note: questions adapted from www.film-english.org

Facebook can be depressing because everyone else's lives are better than yours... But are they really?

What's On Your Mind? Talking About The Value Of Social Media In Our Everyday Lives

whats-on-your-mind-talking-about-the-value-of-social-media-in-our-everyday-lives

Let's do English ESL memory game. A video that can be used to open discussion as to the value of social media in our everyday lives.