Selfies: a video-based grammar lesson

This is a video-based grammar lesson intended for A2/B1 students. Its aim is to review/introduce the use of gerunds after prepositions. The grammar expansion section, which focuses on verb + preposition collocations, is probably better suited to B1/B1+.

Use it to your heart’s content. Any feedback will be much appreciated.

LEAD-IN

1  Are sentences a-d true for you? If not, make them true.

a  The last picture I took was a selfie.
b  I take more than two selfies a month.
c  Most of my friends enjoy taking selfies.
d  I don’t like to have my picture taken. I prefer to take a selfie.

2  List two advantages and two disadvantages of selfies.

NOTICING AND GRAMMAR DISCOVERY

3 Watch a short video about selfies. Choose the best title. Were any of your ideas from exercise 2 mentioned? Use video 1 below.

[  ] Why I hate selfies
[  ] Why I like selfies
[  ] Why people take selfies
[  ] The problem with selfies

Video 1

4 Choose the correct options to complete the sentences from the video. Use your intuition!

a We care less about that person and more about [have / having] that picture on our phone.
b So many people come up to me without even [know / knowing] my name and what I do, and all they want is a selfie.
c When instead of [say / saying] “Hi, how are you?”, we say “Selfie, please!”, we have a problem.

5 Watch again and check. Then complete the rule. Use video 2 below.

Rule: If a verb follows a preposition (about, of, without etc.), we use the __________ form.

Video 2

PRACTICE

6  Complete questions a-h with the correct form of the verbs. Notice which prepositions follow which adjectives / nouns / verbs.

choose     delete     make     post     see     take (x2)     use

a Do you know anyone who is addicted to _____ selfies? In your opinion, is that a problem?
b Do you ever get tired of _____ other people’s selfies on social media?
c Are there any places where people should be banned from _____ selfies?
d Do you think selfies are a good way of _____ people feel happier?
e Have you ever thought about _____ a selfie after you posted it because it didn’t get enough likes?
f How do you feel about _____ editing software to make your selfies look better?
g How many selfies do you take before _____ one to post online?
h Have you ever had a negative experience after _____ a selfie online? (e.g. bullying)

7  Ask and answer questions a-h. If you don’t like taking selfies, focus on questions a-d.

GRAMMAR EXPANSION

8  Using your intuition, complete a – j with the correct prepositions.

a  brag __________ (doing) something.
b  complain __________ someone / (doing) something.
c  congratulate someone __________ (doing) something.
d  discourage someone __________ doing something.
e  focus __________ (doing) something.
f  insist __________ (doing) something.
g  keep __________ (doing) something.
h  look forward __________ (doing) something.
i  succeed __________ doing something.
j  worry __________ someone / (doing) something.

9  Check using video 3 below.

Video 3

10 Complete sentences A-E with your own ideas. Use as much real information as you can.

a  I don’t like people who congratulate themselves… and brag…
b  The last time I complained…, I insisted…
c  If I keep… and focus…, I will eventually succeed…
d  I’ve been thinking…, but some of my friends have discouraged…
e  I’m looking forward…, but I sometimes worry…

Answer key:
3. The problem with selfies.
4. Answers on the screen. (video 2) 
5. ing or gerund
6. a. taking, b. seeing, c. taking, d. making, e. deleting, f. using, g. choosing, h. posting
7. a. about, b. about, c. on, d. from, e. on, f. on, g. on, h. to, i. in, j. about