ESL: Superheroes

Introduction: Gap-fill

Wow, do I love a gap-fill. A more interactive version of this activity can be found here. Basically, we're getting students to listen to the Avengers: Infinity War trailer and fill in the gaps. They will need to be somewhat familiar with the character's voices or names.

Presentation

Introduce some 'superpowers' to the students, and see if they can find an example of a superhero for each one. Make sure students know the word 'ability'. (For lower levels, this can be adapted to 'can' sentences, e.g. 'super-speed: you can run very quickly')

• Super-speed: the ability to move very quickly
• Flight: the ability to fly
• Teleportation: the ability to move from one place to another instantly
• Telepathy: the ability to hear what other people are thinking
• Invisibility: the ability to make yourself disappear, i.e. invisible
• Shapeshifting: the ability to look like someone - or something - else
• Super-strength: the ability to lift or move heavy things easily
• Elemental control: the ability to control the elements (fire, water, air, earth)

Ask students what superpower they would like.

Discussion
Have students ask each other the following questions. This could be in a 'speed-dating' style set-up or just pair-work:

• Who's your favourite superhero?
• If you had superpowers, would you be a hero or a villain?
• Do you prefer dark superheroes like Batman or only good superheroes like Superman? Why?
• Does a person's favourite superhero tell you anything about their personality?
• What does your favourite superhero say about your personality?
• Are there any real superheroes in the world?
• What is your favourite superhero movie?
• Do you prefer to read comics or watch superhero movies?
• Why have superhero movies become so popular? Is it good that they are so popular?

Have students feed-back to the class about their pair's answers.

A bit of a laugh

Show these pictures to the students and ask them how superheroes have changed over the years. Ask students why they have changed and how they will change in the future.

Final activity

In groups, read the quotes, attempt to describe what they mean, and discuss your favourites. I use the selection of quotes from 'Scoopwhoop' available here:

https://www.scoopwhoop.com/inspiring-quotes-from-superhero-movies/

A quick google search for 'superhero quotes' brings up even more wisdom, e.g.:

From bighivemind.com

From the supermomlife.com

From thegeektwins.com

Some questions to have students ask each other if they get stuck:

• Do you agree with the superhero? Why/why not?
• Can you think of an example from your life which matches the quote?
• How do superheroes, comics, and superhero movies inspire you?