Starbucks Manners: a video-based listening lesson

This is a ready-made, video-based lesson you can use with your intermediate / upper-intermediate students. It’s suitable for both teens and adults. Copy and paste whatever you want and use it to your heart’s content.

A   Discuss 1-5 with a partner. How much do you have in common?

1   What’s your favorite coffee shop?
2   How often do you go there?
3   What do you usually order?
4   How much time do you usually spend there?
5   Which of these describe(s) the place?

[  ] way too expensive                   [  ] long lines                   [   ] weak WiFi signal
[  ] not enough variety                  [  ] rude staff                   [   ] not enough seats
[  ] indecisive customers              [  ] too noisy                    [   ] complicated menus
[  ] too many people standing at the counter                     [   ] What else?

B   Share your ideas with the whole group. How many students talked about Starbucks? Use your phone to search online if you’ve never heard of / been to a Starbucks store.

C   Watch Ellen (not Helen!) DeGeneres, an American comedian / talk-show host, talk about Starbucks. Which items in 5 above does she mention? Use video 1 (scroll down).

D   Watch a few selected excerpts from the show. Choose A or B. Use video 2.

1
a  Starbucks stores are not conveniently located.
b  There are lots of Starbucks stores.
2
a  They often get your name wrong.
b  Placing your order is simple.
3
a  With so many Starbucks stores in the world, there should be no lines.
b  Starbucks is so huge that it doesn’t treat customers as individuals.
4
a  “Barista Station” is where you place your order.
b  “Barista Station” is where they pour you your coffee.
5
a  “Squatters” probably means people who behave in a rude, noisy way.
b  “Squatters” probably means people who occupy a place that’s not theirs.

E  Watch video 3 up to 0:30. Pay close attention to how the yellow sounds are pronounced. Then watch the rest of the video and complete the sentences. Write down exactly what you hear.

1  And they bring so much ____________________.
2  Going ____________________ should be simple.
3  This is a place where people  ____________________ to the counter as they possibly can.
4  The line is so long because people don’t know what to order – that’s     ____________________.
5  They go every single day and then they just stare ____________________, like seeing it ____________________.

F    Is there anything that annoys you about any [see below] in particular? Share your ideas in groups. What’s the most common pet peeve?

supermarket / shopping mall / store / gym / restaurant / museum / movie theater

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – end of lesson – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 

Please read about the PRINCIPLES underlying some of these activities. Click here! Thank you!

Video 1

Video 2

Video 3