In this lesson, students begin by examining the definition of a "freak" and looking at a wide variety of images depicting atypical behaviors (e.g., extreme bodybuilders, furries, eco-activists, Apple fanatics, and people with extensive body modifications). They discuss what makes these behaviors "freakish" and why people choose to express themselves outside societal norms. A listening task features four individuals — Thomas, Anna, Bertha, and Stefan — who share their unconventional lives, ranging from winning vaping competitions and making a living on OnlyFans to raising eleven children and being extreme workaholics. Students then watch three video clips: Claire and her giant Great Dane Freddy, Tere Lynn's family with over 50 feet of hair combined, and Justin Jedlica and Pixee Fox (the "real-life Ken and Barbie"). The class debates whether social media serves as a modern freak show. Finally, students read about the history of late 19th century freak shows and analyze four psychological reasons why humans are fascinated by the unusual: curiosity, desire for entertainment, inspiration from bravery, and social comparison.
PDF handout, audio materials (MP3), video links, full downloadable package (RAR). Everything you need to run this lesson is ready to download — zero preparation required.
This lesson plan is designed for online ESL tutors working with adult learners at B1-C1 level. It uses a conversation-driven approach with authentic materials to keep adult students genuinely engaged throughout the session.
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