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GENERAL ENGLISH · GENERAL ISSUES · UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (B2-C1)

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1 Warm up

One of the hot movie trends of summer 2023 was the Barbie movie. Watch this trailer and answer
the questions.

1. If you’ve seen the film, can you summarise the story in one or two sentences? If you haven’t seen
it, say what you think the main themes are.

2. According to the trailer, who is the target audience? Do you agree?

3. Merchandise is a collection of themed items relating to a film for fans to buy. Have you seen any
Barbie-themed merchandise for sale that promotes this movie?

4. A franchise is a series of movies that share the same setting and characters. What other movie
franchises can you think of that are strongly associated with popular toys?

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2 Watch for main idea

You are going to watch a short news report (~3 mins) about how toymaker Mattel and the Warner
Brothers film studio have marketed Barbie during the summer 2023 release of the film of the same
name.

Match these people from the report with the summaries of what they said or did. Each person has
one match and one item is extra.

1. Richard Dickson, Mattel Chief Operating Officer

2. Moshe Issacian, brand strategist

3. Ynon Kreiz, Mattel Chief Executive Officer

4. Joel Flynn, the reporter

5. Moshe Issacian, brand strategist (again)

6. Extra

a. ... gives information about the film’s costs and profits.

b. ... says that Mattel has provided pink Barbie stuff for every category of person to buy and enjoy.

c. ... says that people of all ages and backgrounds enjoy the story of the film.

d. ... gives a simple definition of marketing.

e. ... describes how Barbie has changed over the years.

f. ... collected a huge range of Barbie stuff and shared the list on social media.

3 Focus on vocabulary
Part A: The items in italics were included in the news report. Match the sentence halves for each
group.

Group 1:

1) It is said that the Star Wars franchise’s collaboration with fast-food restaurants
2) The exciting fight scenes in the original Star Wars films impacted and
3) The marketing of these films was so comprehensive that everyone on the planet
4) All of the stars attended the film’s launch and

a. ... inspired a whole generation of kids.

b. ... walked on the red carpet in costume.

c. ... has been hugely profitable for both sides over the years.

d. ... must have been aware of them.

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Group 2:

1) I feel overcome with nostalgia for my childhood when I watch

2) The character of Buzz Lightyear is synonymous with the
3) The Toy Story franchise resulted in soaring profits for
4) The Toy Story films target both boys and girls by including

a. ... a range of engaging characters.

b. ... Toy Story with my nieces and nephews.

c. ... phrase, "To infinity and beyond!"

d. ... Pixar Studios and their parent company, Disney.

Group 3:

1) LegoLand has curated and displayed a range of items

2) Lego has certainly transcended its original purpose
3) Visitors to LegoLand generate enormous profits for the company
4) You can buy modern Lego sets which have tie-ins and licensing deals

a. ... through the price of entry and spending on food, drink and
souvenirs.

b. ... from their various film franchises.

c. ... with various other film characters like Harry Potter or Batman.

d. ... as a simple building toy for young children.

Part B: Now complete the gaps with the word in bold from the previous part.

Which adjectives in bold in these sentences have the following meanings?

1. describing two things that are so closely connected in everyone’s mind that
recalling one immediately results in recalling the other
2. rising very quickly and reaching extremely high levels

3. thorough, including everything possible

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Which nouns in bold in these sentences have the following meanings?

1. a mixed feeling of happiness and sadness that you get when you remember
the past
2. a process of cooperation between two or more parties

3. an event to introduce something new

4. arrangements between two companies to make a connection between and

sell their products

Which verbs in bold in these sentences have the following meanings? Write the base infinitive.

1. collect and display related items or documents

2. direct a product towards a specific group of people

3. go further than a limit

4. influence something

5. produce or create something

4 Watch for detail

Read the sentences from the report and use the correct forms of the items from the vocabulary
exercise to complete them. Listen to check your ideas.

1
a. Our colour is obviously with a big movement right now and there’s
2
not a category out there that we haven’t carefully as an opportunity
for everyone to play with Barbie.

b. I think what they’ve done here is trying to make Barbie culturally relevant again, bring it to life,
3
make it a piece that is just not about , not about toys, but really a
universe that you can really feel, touch and feel a part of, right?
4 5
c. Isaacian compiled all the ’Barbie’ brand ,
6
he noticed leading up to the film’s into a viral Twitter thread. But
while Barbie the toy has traditionally been aimed at young girls, the film and much of its marketing
7
strategy has instead adults.
8
d. ... so it is about a story that ... generations and appeals to audiences
all over the world.
9
e. The opening weekend at the US box office already 162 million
10
dollars in ticket sales. But Mattel are also expected to see sales for
11
Barbie dolls and other related products. Some have said such a
12
marketing campaign hasn’t been seen in decades – and could
how marketing is taught in the future.

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5 Language in context

Read these sentences from the report and use the context to explain the meanings of the items in
bold.

1. Wherever you are in the world right now, chances are that – like Trafalgar Square in London this
month - there’s a corner of it near you that’s pink. And that’s likely thanks to a pop culture sensation
from toymaker Mattel that’s been 64 years in the making.

2. Not content with setting box office records for this year, Barbie is also rewriting the playbook for
how to market a film.

3. It’s timeless and timely at the same time so it is about a story that covers... transcends generations
and appeals to audiences all over the world.

Work in pairs. Think of examples of these things from your own life:

• something that’s been at least a year in the making

• someone who has rewritten the playbook for something
• a timeless product
• a timely event

6 Talking point

Answer these questions in pairs or small groups. Give reasons and examples in your answers and try
to use language from the lesson.

1. The new report suggests that the marketing campaign associated with the Barbie film is extremely
innovative. In what ways is this true?
2. To what extent do you agree with Moshe Isaacian when he says, "And that’s what marketing is all
about, it’s just bringing stuff to life and making people aware of it."
3. What do you imagine could be the future of the Barbie movie franchise?
4. Movies about toys have been very popular. Why do you think this type of nostalgia appeals to us
right now?
5. What do you think are some of the silliest tie-ins and licensing deals for this film? What about for
other films?
6. Many people have expressed concern about the damage that gender stereotyping causes in children.
Do you think this film addresses these issues? What sort of further action might be needed?
7. Do you think there is a dominant partner in collaborations between toy companies and film producers?

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7 Optional extension

Read this sentence from the report. What do you understand the word in bold to mean? Have you
heard any other words with the same suffix?

From a life-sized Dreamhouse, to a hot pink café, the brand has been everywhere in 2023. It’s
led to talk of something Mattel have called ‘Barbiecore’ - a world awash with pink.

• This suffix is probably related to an older adjective, hardcore, which describes a

combination of strong interest and determination related to a particular activity, style
or genre. Substituting the first part of the word with other words, usually nouns, is the
perfect way to hashtag an interest on social media and connect with like-minded people.

Here are some -cores that you should know about. Be warned - some of these interests are pretty
unusual. For each one, try to complete the word from the description, using the first letter you are
given. Write one letter on each line.

1. a core: a style featuring those heavenly beings with wings, sitting

on clouds, with a pale colour palette.

2. b core: this aesthetic celebrates all things related to gardening, from

flowers to fruit, and even vegetables and tools.

3. c core: this one is for people who have a lot of stuff and like to
display their collections in their home. Not minimalist, that’s for sure!

4. c core: rural fantasies of old-fashioned romantic country living is

what this style is all about.

5. f core: if you’re into small mystical, magical creatures, this is your

thing, and its influence will be seen in your hairstyle, makeup, clothes and accessories.

6. g core: this unexpected aesthetic is based on an appreciation of

everyday items not normally considered beautiful, like mushrooms, snails or frogs.

7. m core: you know those small independent films with low production
values where you can barely hear the characters speak? Strangely, this is one of the oldest cores.

8. n core: this one’s a bit contradictory, as it describes the trend of

rejecting trendiness in favour of more neutral classic styles.

• Have you heard of any of these?

• Do you know any others?
• What’s a -core that you’d like to invent?

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Transcripts

1. Warm up

Ken: Hey, Barbie! Can I come to your house tonight?

Barbie : Sure, I don’t have anything big planned. Just a giant blowout party with all the
Barbies and planned choreography, and a bespoke song. You should stop by.

Ken: So cool.

Barbie 2: This is the best day ever.

Barbie: It is the best day ever. So was yesterday and so is tomorrow and every day from
now until forever. Do you guys ever think about dying?

Barbie : Some things have been happening that might be related. Cold shower. Falling off
my roof... and my heels are on the ground.

Barbie 3 : Flat feet!

Barbie : What do I have to do?

Witch Barbie: You have to go to the real world. You can go back to your regular life, or you can
know the truth about the universe. The choice is now yours.

Barbie: The first one. The high heel.

Witch Barbie: You have to want to know. Okay? Do it again.

Ken : I’m coming with you.

Barbie: Okay.

Barbie: Wow. This is the real world. What’s going on? Why are these men looking at me?

Ken: Yeah. They are also staring at me.

Woman: Barbie in the real world. That’s impossible.

Manttel’s CEO: If this got out this could mean extremely weird things for our world. This would be
catastrophic.

Girl: We haven’t played with Barbies since we were, like, five years old.

Barbie: Oh.

Manttel’s CEO: No one rests until this doll is back in a box.

Ruth : Humans only have one ending.

Manttel’s CEO: Get that Barbie!

Ruth: Ideas live forever.

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Doctor: No, I won’t let you do just one appendectomy.

Ken: But I’m a man.

Doctor: But not a doctor.

Ken : Can I talk to a doctor?

Doctor: You are talking to a doctor.

Ken: And I need a clicky pen.

Doctor : No.

Ken: And a sharp thing.

Doctor: No.

Ken: There he is. Doctor!

Doctor: Somebody get security.

2. Watch for main idea

Reporter: Wherever you are in the world right now, chances are that – like Trafalgar Square
in London this month - there’s a corner of it near you that’s pink. And that’s likely
thanks to a pop culture sensation from toymaker Mattel that’s been 64 years in
the making. Not content with setting box office records for this year, Barbie is also
rewriting the playbook for how to market a film. From a life-sized Dreamhouse to a
hot pink café, the brand has been everywhere in 2023. It’s led to talk of something
Mattel have called ‘Barbiecore’ - a world awash with pink. Mattel president and
COO, Richard Dickson.

Richard Dickson: Our colour is obviously synonymous with a big movement right now and there’s
not a category out there that we haven’t carefully curated as an opportunity for
everyone to play with Barbie.

Reporter: Analysts have been rushing to praise Mattel’s strategy around the film’s release and
its success at redefining themselves as more than just a toy brand. Brand strategist
Moshe Issacian.

Moshe Isaacian: I think what they’ve done here is trying to make Barbie culturally relevant again,
bring it to life, make it a piece that is just not about nostalgia, not about toys, but
really a universe that you can really feel, touch and feel a part of, right?

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Reporter: Isaacian compiled all the ’Barbie’ brand collaborations, tie-ins and licensing deals
he noticed leading up to the film’s launch into a viral Twitter thread. Among
the sparkly, hot-pink merchandise he listed: a gaming console, dog treats, shoes,
homeware, frozen yogurt, hair accessories and roller skates. But while Barbie the
toy has traditionally been aimed at young girls, the film and much of its marketing
strategy has instead targeted adults. Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz said this has been
key.

Ynon Kreiz: It’s timeless and timely at the same time so it is about a story that covers...
transcends generations and appeals to audiences all over the world.

Moshe Isaacian: I think Mattel is starting to be a little bit more free with themselves, like letting
themselves go, kind of realizing that nowadays the humour has changed, people
are a little bit more critical of, like, how brands act. And they’ve done actually a
good job with it in the movie, too.

Reporter: Reports have put the ’Barbie’ marketing budget at 150 million dollars. That’s more
than the 145 million dollars it cost to make the film. The opening weekend at
the US box office already generated 162 million dollars in ticket sales. But Mattel
are also expected to see soaring sales for Barbie dolls and other related products.
Some have said such a comprehensive marketing campaign hasn’t been seen in
decades – and could impact how marketing is taught in the future.

Moshe Isaacian: The strategy was here was, this is Barbie’s world and we’re living in it. And they’ve
done a really good job at this. And that’s what marketing is all about, it’s just
bringing stuff to life and making people aware of it.

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Key

1. Warm up

10 mins.
Students are introduced to the topic of the lesson via a short film trailer (2:41 mins). Show the clip and then set up
pairs/groups to discuss the questions. It doesn’t matter if they have or haven’t seen the film. If you pair students
who have seen the film with those who haven’t, they each have slightly different contributions to make to the
discussion. Make sure students can pronounce merchandise /"m3:.tS@n.daIs/ and franchise /"fræn.tSaIz/. Round
off this stage with some brief responses around the class.

1. Students’ own answers.

2. The trailer says it’s for people who love Barbie and people who hate her – so everybody!
3. Students’ own answers.
4. Students may mention Toy Story, the Lego movies and the Star Wars movies. Encourage them to explore
which came first, the toy or the movie (for Star Wars the movie came first, and for Toy Story, the movie featured
a mix of familiar/classic and new toys).

2. Watch for main idea

10 mins.
Students demonstrate understanding of the main idea of a news report (3:11). Go over the introduction and
instructions and give students a minute to view the names, positions and summaries. Note: The names may look
daunting, but the video makes it clear who is speaking and the order of the messages is reflected in the exercise.
Students will not hear the exact words of each speaker and must listen for reformulations. You may need to play
the report twice. Check answers.

1. → b. 2. → f. 3. → c. 4. → a. 5. → d. 6. → e.

3. Focus on vocabulary

Part A:
5 mins.
Students work with vocabulary from the news report in two related activities. First, they match sentence halves –
note that the difficulty level of the words increases with each group and that the sentence breaks are grammatically
similar for each group.
Group 1:

a. 2) The exciting fight scenes in the original Star Wars films impacted and
b. 4) All of the stars attended the film’s launch and
c. 1) It is said that the Star Wars franchise’s collaboration with fast-food restaurants
d. 3) The marketing of these films was so comprehensive that everyone on the planet
Group 2:

a. 4) The Toy Story films target both boys and girls by including
b. 1) I feel overcome with nostalgia for my childhood when I watch
c. 2) The character of Buzz Lightyear is synonymous with the
d. 3) The Toy Story franchise resulted in soaring profits for

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Group 3:

a. 3) Visitors to LegoLand generate enormous profits for the company

b. 1) LegoLand has curated and displayed a range of items
c. 4) You can buy modern Lego sets which have tie-ins and licensing deals
d. 2) Lego has certainly transcended its original purpose
Part B:
5 mins.
In the second exercise, they identify the parts of speech and match items with their definitions. Check pronunciation
when you check answers – stressed syllables are underlined. Students will do further work with these items in
the next stage.
Adjectives:

1. synonymous 2. soaring 3. comprehensive

Nouns:

1. nostalgia
2. collaboration
3. launch
4. tie-ins and licensing deals
Verbs:

1. curate 2. target 3. transcend 4. impact 5. generate

4. Watch for detail

10 mins.
Students demonstrate a more detailed understanding of the video by completing this gap-fill exercise and also
practise listening skills.

1. synonymous 2. curated 3. nostalgia

4. collaborations 5. tie-ins and licensing deals 6. launch
7. targeted 8. transcends 9. generated
10. soaring 11. comprehensive 12. impact

5. Language in context

5 mins.
Noticing items in context and explaining their meanings is an important skill for students at this level. Work with
the whole class to elicit ideas and then complete the follow-up activities to check understanding.

1. This phrase refers to the amount of time that it took to produce or accomplish something.
2. A playbook is a metaphorical collection of rules, advice or procedures for accomplishing a task, so to rewrite it
means to completely change an established way of doing something.
3. This is an interesting play on words – timeless means classic, of interest or value forever, while timely means
occurring at just the right moment.

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6. Talking point

15 mins.
These questions offer students a chance to react to some of the issues raised. Set up small groups and monitor
and support as necessary, eliciting or explaining the meaning of innovation if necessary (using new ideas or
methods). Students should give complete answers with reasons and examples, as they would in a speaking exam
like Cambridge or IELTS. Round up some answers and deliver some feedback at the end of this stage.
Answer to the first question: It’s innovative because of the focus (and spending) on marketing and merchandising,
with the aim of ensuring the movie appeals to as many people as possible.
Variation: If you’re running out of time, ask students to select several of the questions to discuss, or assign each
pair or group-specific questions to discuss and report back to the group.

7. Optional extension

10 mins.
This activity is meant as a filler or cooler if you have some time in your lesson. Here students explore a suffix that
has become very popular recently. Pose the follow-up questions at the end.
Source: https://www.dictionary.com/e/core-words

1. angel 2. bloom 3. clutter 4. cottage 5. fairy 6. goblin 7. mumble 8. norm

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